Garbage collection resumes in Bengaluru, contractors accuse BSWML of using threats, ignoring dues

Garbage collection resumes in Bengaluru amid contractor disputes over payment delays and new waste segregation rules by BSWML.

A day after garbage collection was halted in more than 50 wards across the city, services resumed on Tuesday (March 24, 2026), with workers saying there were no disruptions and that operations would continue as usual from Wednesday (March 25, 2026), including in areas that missed collection on Tuesday.  

The disruption on March 23 was triggered by delayed salary payments and objections to a new rule on waste segregation. While the Bengaluru Solid Waste Management Limited (BSWML) has insisted on stricter segregation of waste at source, contractors have opposed the move, arguing that the responsibility lies with waste generators, not collection staff. 

Sanitation workers and contractors allege that while households are being asked to segregate waste into three categories, drivers and collection workers are spending hours sorting out mixed waste, exposing themselves to hazardous materials. 

S.N. Balasubramanian, president of the Garbage Contractors’ Association, told The Hindu that the association had written to the BSWML on Tuesday (March 24, 2026), reiterating that collection workers cannot be tasked with segregating waste. “The BSWML is directing our auto drivers and loaders to ensure waste segregation, which is not feasible,” he said, questioning whether such instructions could violate the Manual Scavengers Act. He added that new directives are being issued without consulting those handling waste on the ground. 

On March 23, FIRs were registered against garbage contractors at three city police stations under the Essential Services Maintenance Act (ESMA) for disrupting collection services leading to garbage accumulation, based on complaints by GBA officials. 

Contractors, however, alleged that the BSWML has been resorting to such punitive measures instead of addressing their concerns.