Bengaluru sets up separate entity for solid waste

To lessen the burden on the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP), the cabinet has decided to set up the Bengaluru Solid Waste Management—an administratively and financially independent entity—to manage the city’s solid waste.The company, which will be headed by the Additional Chief Secretary as its CEO, will be solely responsible for waste collection, processing and transportation. Speaking to the media after the cabinet meeting, Home Minister Basavaraj Bommai said the company will be responsible for all solid waste management units, programs and treatment plants for the state capital.“The Bengaluru Solid Waste Management will be set up to handle waste collection, processing and transportation, and management of waste-to-energy plants. The BBMP is burdened with various responsibilities and a focused approach is required for waste management. It is being set up on the recommendations of various groups. The BBMP will have a 51 per cent stake in the company and the Government of Karnataka will have 49 per cent,” he said. He added that Bengaluru was producing about 5,500 tons solid waste daily, including 4,000 tons from households and 1,500-tons of bulk waste.