Bengaluru: Double property tax for sites vacant over five years, says Karnataka CM

Karnataka Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar announced on Thursday that owners of sites allotted by the Bangalore Development Authority (BDA) or any city corporation will have to pay double property tax if the sites remain vacant for more than five years without any construction. The government will also begin proceedings to take back such plots, he said.

The Chief Minister made the announcement while launching the ‘Tyajyadinda Swatantra’ (Freedom from Waste) campaign at Hebbal in north Bengaluru. BJP MP for Bangalore North Shobha Karandlaje and Yelahanka MLA S.R. Vishwanath were present on the occasion.

Under the campaign, the Greater Bengaluru Authority (GBA) has taken up the task of clearing construction debris and solid waste from vacant plots and public spaces under the title Just Clean Bengaluru (JCB). According to GBA estimates, 1,616 locations across Bengaluru have accumulated 22,732 tonnes of debris. The GBA has deployed over 200 vehicles, with more being provided by partner agencies. The Bengaluru Solid Waste Management Limited (BSWML) has identified five locations for dumping the removed inert waste.

Greater Bengaluru Development Minister Krishna Byre Gowda said the actual volume of debris could exceed one lakh tonnes. The campaign aims to remove lakhs of tonnes of construction and demolition waste from public spaces, he said. The GBA has brought on board parastatal agencies including BDA, BESCOM, BMRCL, KRIDE, NHAI, KIADB, and BSWML for the drive. Mr. Gowda also said the Union Minister of State for Railways had directed Indian Railways to clear construction debris from railway land.

The Minister noted that debris, excavated soil, stones, concrete slabs, pipes, poles, and other construction materials had been illegally dumped along roadsides, footpaths, and public spaces. “These sites pose serious health and safety hazards, and are an ugly eyesore in our densely populated city,” he said.

On the issue of illegal dumping, Mr. Shivakumar said the government had earlier issued notices and installed surveillance cameras, which controlled the problem for about 15 days before it resurfaced. He directed the police to crack down on vehicles dumping construction and demolition waste outside designated locations. Earlier this week, Mr. Gowda announced that the GBA is planning to make it mandatory for vehicles transporting debris to register with the authority and install GPS devices. A final decision will be taken after a multi-department meeting.

The Chief Minister urged citizens to develop greater civic awareness. “It is our duty to keep Bengaluru clean. It is your duty to protect your Bengaluru. Bengaluru is not the government’s property; it is yours. This large-scale campaign has been launched to encourage citizens to protect their own city,” he said. He also said a historic announcement on creating a Green Bengaluru would be made soon.

Referring to the recent attack on officials during the footpath clearance drive at Shivajinagar, Mr. Shivakumar said those responsible should not think they had merely assaulted government officials but the minister and the government itself. He invited non-governmental organisations to participate in the cleanliness campaign by taking responsibility for specific localities or adopting four roads for maintenance.

Calling the drive a model initiative, he urged everyone to replicate it in their respective constituencies and regions. “The entire country is watching Bengaluru. It is our collective responsibility to maintain cleanliness in the city,” he said.