Spot, Record, Report: Bengaluru Residents to Get ₹250 for Reporting Garbage Dumping

The Greater Bengaluru Authority (GBA) has rolled out a unique citizen-driven initiative aimed at tackling the city's persistent littering problem. Under the new program, residents who capture videos of individuals dumping waste in public places will receive a cash reward of ₹250.

According to officials, the initiative seeks to turn every citizen into a partner in Bengaluru's cleanliness mission. Videos of "litterbugs" can be submitted via a dedicated WhatsApp number or official social media handles, after which the Bengaluru Solid Waste Management Limited (BSWML) will verify the footage and identify the offenders.

A Step Forward in the Fight Against Littering

This new reward system follows a series of unconventional measures taken by the BSWML to curb littering. Recently, the agency organized a "Garbage Dumping Festival", during which garbage was deliberately placed outside 218 homes of habitual offenders, resulting in fines totalling ₹2.8 lakh.

The latest campaign builds upon that bold approach-combining penalties for offenders with incentives for responsible citizens. BSWML CEO Kari Gowda told NDTV that the initiative is meant to change behaviour rather than simply punish offenders:

"We have around 5,000 autos in Bengaluru that go to households for collection of dry and wet waste. Despite this, some people still throw garbage on the roads. To create awareness, this initiative acts as a sort of return gift."

How the Scheme Works

Residents who spot someone littering can record a short video showing the act clearly and share it with BSWML via WhatsApp or the designated app. Once verified, the agency will identify the violator, impose fines of ₹2,000 or more, and issue the ₹250 reward to the citizen who reported the offence.

Officials emphasize that CCTV surveillance and other digital tracking tools are also being used to strengthen the campaign. The initiative aims to make residents more accountable and reduce the burden on civic agencies.

Promoting Civic Responsibility

Beyond fines and rewards, this campaign encourages long-term behavioural change. The GBA and BSWML hope that empowering citizens to report littering will foster a sense of civic pride and shared responsibility.

The campaign has gained traction on social media, where many have praised the government's innovative approach. Some users, however, have voiced concerns about privacy and potential misuse, calling for clearer reporting guidelines.

The new anti-litter drive is part of a larger mission to make Bengaluru a cleaner, greener, and more sustainable city. Authorities believe that involving citizens directly in monitoring and maintaining public spaces is key to long-term success.

As Bengaluru continues to grapple with rapid urbanisation and mounting waste challenges, the GBA's ₹250 reward scheme represents a fresh step towards collective environmental responsibility-and a cleaner future for India's tech capital.