Catch a Litterbug, Earn ₹250 Instantly: New Clean-Street Reward Scheme Launched in Bengaluru
Catch a Litterbug, Earn ₹250 Instantly: New Clean-Street Reward Scheme Launched in Bengaluru
Bengaluru residents now have a chance to turn their frustration over littering into action — and get rewarded for it. In a new initiative aimed at keeping the city’s streets spotless, the Greater Bengaluru Authority (GBA), in partnership with Bengaluru Solid Waste Management Limited (BSWML), is introducing a citizen-driven campaign where anyone can earn ₹250 by simply reporting people caught littering in public.
The concept is straightforward: if you see someone dumping waste or tossing garbage onto the road, capture a short video of the act and share it with city officials. Verified reports will earn the citizen reporter a cash incentive of ₹250, according to an NDTV report.
To make participation easier, the authorities will soon announce a dedicated WhatsApp number and official social media handles where residents can send in their clips. Additionally, a mobile application specifically designed for reporting littering incidents is in the works and expected to go live within a week.
This initiative follows a series of creative efforts by the GBA to address the city’s growing waste problem. Just days ago, Bengaluru grabbed headlines with its quirky yet impactful “Garbage Dumping Festival.” During the campaign, residents who carelessly disposed of trash on streets were warned that their own garbage could be delivered right back to their doorsteps — a symbolic act intended to shame repeat offenders and highlight the seriousness of public littering.
Speaking about the new reward-based drive, BSWML CEO Karigowda emphasized that despite having nearly 5,000 autos collecting both dry and wet waste from households every day, a section of citizens still chooses to litter the streets. The upcoming video-based reporting system, combined with penalties, aims to put an end to that behavior. Offenders caught littering will not only get their trash back but will also face a ₹2,000 fine.
“This initiative is like giving back a ‘return gift’—but one that creates awareness,” Karigowda remarked, underlining that the goal is to encourage accountability and make Bengaluru cleaner, one citizen report at a time.
