Bengaluru: – Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister and Bengaluru Development Minister D.K. Shivakumar has made strong remarks against alleged irregularities in the city’s solid waste management system, referring to it as a “big mafia.” He vowed to bring transparency and accountability to the operations surrounding Bengaluru’s sanitation and civic management.
Speaking at the Kempegowda Jayanti event in Bengaluru, Shivakumar emphasized the need for reform in how the city handles waste, noting that despite the dedicated work of pourakarmikas (sanitation workers), there are systemic challenges driven by a hidden nexus.
“I am well aware of the powerful garbage mafia operating in Bengaluru. This is not the right platform to go into detail, but I will speak about it soon,” he declared.
Shivakumar also used the occasion to honor civic workers and professionals from various fields as part of the city’s 516th Kempegowda Jayanti celebrations. He reiterated that the current government is working toward making Bengaluru a transparent, efficient, and people-friendly global city.
Referring to his earlier remarks, he said, “Three people built modern Bengaluru — Kempegowda, who laid the foundation; Kengal Hanumanthaiah, who built the Vidhana Soudha; and S.M. Krishna, who internationalized Bengaluru’s identity. Today, our goal is to carry forward that legacy.”
Shivakumar also announced a ₹1 lakh crore infrastructure push for Bengaluru, covering Metro expansions, Peripheral Ring Road, stormwater drains, and sanitation upgrades. He said the Greater Bengaluru plan would reshape urban governance and that new urban areas would be declared within a month.
He added that the government has chosen only 50 individuals this year for the Kempegowda awards to ensure dignity and selective recognition of public service.
“This city belongs to everyone, regardless of caste or religion. Bengaluru is the garden of peace for all communities — as Kuvempu said, a sarva janangada shantiya thota. It’s our collective duty to protect and develop it,” Shivakumar said.
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