The Bengaluru Solid Waste Management Limited (BSWML) has significantly escalated its campaign against illegal garbage disposal, issuing a stern warning that setting garbage on fire in public places will now lead to criminal prosecution and potential jail time. This aggressive move, aimed at curbing the severe air pollution caused by open burning, follows the BSWML’s controversial tactic of dumping illegally disposed waste back at offenders' doorsteps.
BSWML CEO Karigowda has confirmed that the civic body is moving beyond fines to invoke severe penal provisions under environmental protection laws.
Fines and Penalties for Garbage Burning
The penalties for setting garbage on fire in Bengaluru are structured based on the type of waste and frequency of the offence, with the ultimate punishment being imprisonment:
| Offence | Penalty/Fine | Authority |
| First Offence (Domestic Waste) | ₹10,000 | BSWML/SWM Rules |
| Second Offence (Domestic Waste) | ₹20,000 | BSWML/SWM Rules |
| Bulk Waste Generators | ₹25,000 to ₹5,00,000 | BSWML/SWM Rules |
| Criminal Case Registration (FIR) | Up to 6 months to 6 years in jail | Air Pollution Control Act, 1981 & Environment Protection Act, 1986 |
The Threat of Imprisonment
Officials have been instructed to file First Information Reports (FIRs) against repeat offenders and those caught burning waste, especially toxic segregated waste like plastic and e-waste.
- Legal Provisions: Cases will be registered under the Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1981, specifically citing sections like Section 5 (or related penal provisions under Chapter VI of the Act).
- The Jail Term: If a case is registered and successfully proven under the Air Pollution Control Act, 1981, the punishment can range from 6 months up to 6 years of imprisonment.
- Evidence Collection: Health inspectors and marshals have been specifically tasked with recording video and photo evidence of the waste-burning to ensure a strong legal basis for criminal prosecution.
Public Outrage and Demand for Better Service
While BSWML defends its stringent action as necessary to protect public health and the fundamental Right to Clean Air (under Article 21), the move has been met with significant resistance from Bengaluru residents.
Citizens are voicing their frustration, questioning why they should be penalized so severely when the root cause—the failure of civic authorities to collect segregated garbage regularly and properly—is often the reason people resort to dumping and burning in the first place.
The BSWML's plan to transfer these criminal cases to the Environment Pollution Control Board highlights the seriousness of the civic body's new, uncompromising stance against environmental violations.
