Bengaluru: The vibrant Ayudha Puja and Vijayadashami celebrations in Bengaluru witnessed massive trade in flowers, banana stems, and ash gourds across city markets, but the aftermath has left the city drowning in garbage. Heaps of flower waste, rotting vegetables, and plastic bags now line the streets, causing inconvenience to commuters and raising concerns about civic negligence.
On Ayudha Puja and Vijayadashami, traders brought truckloads of flowers, banana stems, and pumpkins to KR Market and other neighbourhood markets. While business thrived during the festival rush, leftover unsold stock was dumped on streets, creating piles of waste that have now turned into foul-smelling garbage dumps.
Residents complained that mounds of banana stems, rotting pumpkins, and flower waste are lying unattended on busy roads, making it difficult for vehicles and pedestrians to move. “Senior citizens are slipping and falling. If the items are sold, traders take them back, but if not, they dump them on the roads. The civic officials are doing nothing,” said angry commuters.
Despite repeated complaints, city corporation officials have failed to act swiftly. Locals allege that officers were “busy celebrating festivals” while the streets remained buried under garbage. “This is supposed to be a corporate city, but it has become a garbage city,” one resident fumed.
Environmental activists pointed out that lack of systematic waste segregation during major festivals is turning Bengaluru into a “garbage hub” after every celebration. All eyes are now on the civic body to see if they can clear the waste before it chokes the city further.
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