After bus, metro, milk, and power hikes, Bengalureans now have to pay a garbage fee as well

Tech city's mounting garbage problem

Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike's (BBMP) decision to collect a user fee for solid waste management alongside property tax from households starting April 1 is expected to burn a hole in the pockets of Bengalureans.

In garbage charge is the latest in a series of hikes that citizens are already burdened with — a 15 percent increase in bus fares, up to 71 percent hike in Metro fare, Rs 4 a litre rise in milk prices and higher power tariffs with fixed rates rising by Rs 25 (2025-26), Rs 30 (2026-27), and Rs 40 (2027-28).

The garbage fee structure has six slabs, with buildings up to 600 sq ft paying Rs 10 a month and those over 4,000 sq ft paying Rs 400. A three-storey building on a 30x40 sq ft site would pay around Rs 150 monthly.

Also, read: Of guarantees & hikes: Karnataka govt walks a tightrope amid calls to limit benefits

For areas between 601 and 1,000 sq ft, the charge will be Rs 50 per month per household. For areas between 1,000 and 2,000 sq ft, the charge will be Rs 100. For areas between 2,000 and 3,000 sq ft, the charge will be Rs 150 and for areas between 3,000 and 4,000 sq ft, it will be Rs 200.

The garbage fee is in addition to the existing SWM cess.

The move is expected to generate Rs 750 crore in revenue. Commercial buildings will be charged Rs 12 for a kg of waste.

Also read: Karnataka's bucket of woes: A listless Congress, divided BJP, citizens burdened by poor infra and price hikes