Bengaluru’s civic agencies drop garbage outside the homes of people caught littering; Internet reacts

In a bold move to curb litter, Bengaluru Solid Waste Management Limited (BSWML) and Greater Bengaluru Authority (GBA) have joined forces to crack down on habitual offenders dumping garbage on the city streets. Civic agencies have adopted a unique approach – dumping garbage right outside the homes of those who insist on littering.

on thursday Bengaluru Solid Waste Management Limited (BSWML) targeted around 200 households known to repeatedly dump garbage in public places.

In this campaign, civic activists collected street garbage and dumped it at the doorsteps of habitual violators, and imposed fines ranging from ₹2,000 to ₹10,000.

BSWML Managing Director Carey Gowda said the campaign against litterbugs started following strict instructions from Deputy Chief Minister and Bengaluru Development Minister DK Shivakumar to curb the garbage problem.

“Our marshals have recorded videos of habitual offenders and also kept track of their homes and their phone numbers. Now, this initiative has been launched to discipline such litterbugs. We will confront them with proof of their dirty act of dumping garbage,” The New Indian Express quoted Gowda as saying.

While some citizens have applauded the bold move, others have questioned whether such actions could worsen the problem.

A user on X suggested that heavy fines should be strictly enforced instead of dumping garbage. “Instead of paying the criminals, they are making the place dirty again by doing this. heavy fine Illegal garbage dumping should be enforced upon the public to avoid such black spots on every road in Bengaluru,” the person wrote.

Instead of paying the criminals, they are making the place dirty again by doing so. To avoid such black spots on every road of Bengaluru, heavy fine should be imposed on the public for illegal garbage dumping

– Purple (@Lalala_nt) 30 October 2025

Calling the action a ‘brilliant move’, another said, “Bengaluru: The man who said ‘I don’t care’ after throwing garbage on the road, threw garbage outside his own house! 200 such habitual offenders fined!”

Bengaluru: The man who said ‘I don’t care’ after throwing garbage on the road, threw garbage outside his own house! ,

Fine on 200 such habitual criminals! Great move! @GBA_office @GBAChiefCom ,pic.twitter.com/Pfn8ezrWDg

– Shilpa (@shilpa_cn) 30 October 2025

One comment said, “I feel proud of @GBA_office @GBAChiefCom for taking this initiative, and as citizens we should support them to keep our city clean.”

i feel proud of it @GBA_office @GBAChiefCom For taking this initiative and as citizens we should support them to keep our city clean.

– Rosa S Sudha (@Rosa_Scientist) 30 October 2025

Another pointed out, “Many people here are talking about how this is not the civilized way of doing things, etc. This is the only language some people understand. Are you one of them? Let’s start at the individual level. First, let’s make sure we don’t throw things on the streets.”

One person suggested, “Not sure whether this will achieve the desired result or not. Ideally, fines and denial of amenities like water and electricity is the way to go IMHO.”

The latest initiative comes at a time when Bengaluru, previously considered India’s clean and green IT hub, has fallen worryingly low in national cleanliness rankings.

According to the Swachh Survekshan 2025 survey, Bengaluru is the fifth dirtiest city in the country among cities with a population of more than one million.