BBMP Plans Rs 680 Mn Land Buy for Waste Facility

22 May 2025 CW Team

In a notable departure from its usual practice, the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) is considering the purchase of private land to set up a new waste-processing facility. The Karnataka government has conditionally approved BBMP’s proposal to acquire approximately 38.45 acres from Terra Firma Biotechnologies Ltd in Kundalahalli, Doddaballapura taluk.

The site forms part of a larger 134-acre area earmarked for an integrated waste-processing plant, expected to manage around 25 per cent of Bengaluru’s municipal waste. Traditionally, BBMP has relied on government land for such facilities, but public opposition, legal challenges, and limited availability have led it to explore private land options.

The proposed 134-acre site comprises 46 acres of Revenue Department land, 27 acres of ‘kharab’ (non-cultivable) land, 38 acres owned by Terra Firma, and 22 acres leased by the company from local farmers.

Terra Firma previously operated a waste-processing unit on the site under a 2008 agreement with BBMP but shut operations in 2015 due to protests and operational issues. Before any transaction can proceed, the company must clear existing waste, repay a Rs 68.1 million loan (plus interest) to BBMP, and resolve any environmental damage. The proposed deal is also subject to ongoing litigation, and BBMP must inform the High Court before making any payments.

This acquisition is part of a broader strategy to establish four new waste-processing facilities around Bengaluru through public-private partnerships, aiming to strengthen the city's waste management infrastructure.

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