In an ambitious step toward transforming the city’s cleanliness standards, Bengaluru has launched a first-of-its-kind public participation campaign that directly rewards citizens for reporting acts of littering. The initiative, announced by the Greater Bengaluru Authority (GBA) in collaboration with Bengaluru Solid Waste Management Limited (BSWML), offers residents a cash incentive of ₹250 for each verified instance of littering captured on video. The move marks a creative approach to community-driven waste management and aims to make citizens active stakeholders in maintaining the city’s hygiene.

The campaign, which is part of a broader strategy to curb waste mismanagement, has been designed to tackle one of the most persistent urban challenges—habitual littering on streets and public spaces. According to a report by NDTV, residents who witness individuals or groups dumping garbage in unauthorized areas can record the act on video and submit it to the authorities for review. If the video is validated and leads to action against the offender, the citizen who recorded it will receive a ₹250 cash reward.

A Citizen-Driven Cleanliness Revolution

Officials believe that involving the public directly in enforcement will create a stronger sense of accountability and shared responsibility. Bengaluru, one of India’s most dynamic urban centers, has long struggled with waste disposal and street littering despite having robust door-to-door waste collection systems in place. Nearly 5,000 auto-tippers collect both wet and dry waste from households every day. Yet, officials note that some residents continue to dump trash in open areas, drains, or street corners, contributing to environmental hazards and an unpleasant urban environment.

By offering a small but meaningful financial reward, the GBA hopes to motivate citizens to actively monitor their surroundings and help enforce anti-littering norms. The authorities have emphasized that the initiative is not merely about punishment, but about building awareness and fostering a cleaner civic culture.

Reporting Made Simple: WhatsApp, Social Media, and a New App

To make participation easy and accessible, the GBA and BSWML are setting up a range of digital tools. A dedicated WhatsApp number and official social media channels will soon be made available for citizens to send videos of littering incidents. Additionally, a mobile application tailored for this purpose is currently in development and is expected to launch within a week.

Once operational, the app will allow residents to upload videos, provide location details, and include any additional context required for verification. Each submission will be reviewed by a team within the BSWML to ensure authenticity and prevent misuse. Verified reports will lead to appropriate penalties for the offenders and cash rewards for the vigilant citizen reporters.

Officials have stated that transparency and fairness will be key components of the system. Measures will be put in place to prevent false reporting or personal vendettas being disguised as civic complaints. Every submitted video will be subject to strict verification, including time stamps and geolocation tracking, before any action is taken.

Building on the “Garbage Dumping Festival” Campaign

This new initiative is a continuation of Bengaluru’s recent creative campaigns to tackle the city’s waste problem. Just a week earlier, the GBA introduced the “Garbage Dumping Festival,” a symbolic yet impactful drive aimed at shaming repeat offenders. Under that campaign, garbage that was illegally dumped on streets was collected and returned to the households responsible for it — a form of “return gift” meant to draw attention to the consequences of careless littering.

The “festival” was intended not as a punishment but as a wake-up call to residents who neglect basic waste segregation and disposal practices. It received widespread attention for its unconventional approach and prompted many citizens to engage in discussions about civic responsibility. The new ₹250 reward campaign builds on that momentum, converting public awareness into direct participation.

BSWML’s Chief Executive Officer, Karigowda, explained that the combined strategy of shame and reward was designed to appeal to both civic sense and self-interest. “Think of it as a return gift to create awareness,” he said. “We want people to understand that littering affects everyone. While we have systems in place for daily waste collection, some citizens continue to flout the rules. This initiative will not only identify those individuals but also encourage others to help keep Bengaluru clean.”

Fines and Enforcement: A Dual Approach

Alongside the reward mechanism, the campaign also reinforces existing penalties for littering. Under the city’s municipal laws, individuals caught dumping garbage in public spaces face a ₹2,000 fine. The new video-based system provides a practical way to enforce this rule by creating a clear trail of evidence. Videos submitted by residents will serve as proof, enabling authorities to take swift and decisive action against offenders.

By introducing this dual model — a penalty for the offender and a reward for the reporter — Bengaluru aims to balance deterrence with positive reinforcement. Officials expect the approach to not only discourage habitual offenders but also gradually transform public behavior.

A Step Toward Behavioral Change

Experts in waste management and civic governance see this as a pioneering move that aligns with global trends in participatory governance. Cities across the world have experimented with community monitoring systems for issues like illegal dumping, traffic violations, and noise pollution. However, Bengaluru’s integration of financial incentives into its waste management program gives it a distinctive character tailored to local conditions.

Urban sociologists argue that civic behavior in cities like Bengaluru is often shaped by visibility and collective action. When citizens begin to hold one another accountable, it leads to a ripple effect that normalizes good practices. The reward program, therefore, is not only about financial gain but about creating social pressure to discourage littering.

Public Reception and Challenges Ahead

The campaign has been met with a mix of enthusiasm and curiosity among residents. Many see it as a refreshing, empowering move that gives ordinary citizens a voice in city maintenance. Social media users have already begun discussing how the system could be implemented effectively, with some suggesting that the funds for rewards could come from the fines collected.

However, there are also concerns about privacy, misuse, and potential conflicts arising from public reporting. Authorities have acknowledged these challenges and assured that guidelines will be clearly defined to ensure ethical and responsible participation. Officials will also conduct awareness drives to educate residents on how to report responsibly — focusing on genuine cases of public littering rather than personal disputes.

Toward a Cleaner, More Responsible Bengaluru

The broader goal of the campaign is to make Bengaluru a model city for cleanliness and citizen-led governance. Over the past few years, the city has invested heavily in waste segregation, decentralized composting, and plastic waste reduction. Yet, officials recognize that infrastructure alone cannot solve the problem; behavior and public attitude play a decisive role.

By incentivizing good civic behavior and penalizing negligence, Bengaluru’s new campaign attempts to bridge this gap. It turns residents into active collaborators rather than passive beneficiaries of municipal services. If successful, it could inspire similar initiatives in other Indian cities grappling with littering and waste management issues.

In the long term, the authorities hope that the campaign will not just lead to cleaner streets but also instill a lasting sense of civic pride. As CEO Karigowda aptly summarized, “Our goal is not just to punish or reward. It is to change how people think about waste. When every citizen becomes a guardian of cleanliness, Bengaluru can truly live up to its name as a smart, sustainable city.”

With its blend of innovation, accountability, and citizen empowerment, Bengaluru’s new anti-littering drive may well mark the beginning of a new chapter in urban environmental management — one where every camera becomes a tool for change and every citizen, a champion of cleanliness.