Authorities move marshals from lake and Indira Canteen duties to tackle garbage burning, illegal dumping and night patrols across the city
Bengaluru: civic authorities in the City have decided to redeploy over 400 marshals to handle solid waste management duties across the city. The decision comes as part of an effort to intensify monitoring of garbage-related violations and improve waste management practices in the rapidly growing metropolis.
Officials confirmed that marshals who were earlier posted near Indira Canteen outlets and lake monitoring duties will now be reassigned to roles connected with garbage management and sanitation enforcement.
Marshals to Monitor Garbage Violations and Night Dumping
Under the new arrangement, the marshals will primarily focus on addressing citizen complaints related to garbage burning, illegal waste dumping and sanitation violations. Their responsibilities will also include inspection of garbage dumping sites, monitoring attendance of auto-tippers collecting waste, conducting night patrols and assisting with city cleanliness surveys.
Authorities believe the redeployment will help strengthen on-ground enforcement of solid waste management regulations and improve monitoring in areas where waste disposal violations frequently occur.
NGT Directives Lead to Deployment at Major Lakes
Following directions from the National Green Tribunal, eight marshals have been specifically deployed to monitor the environmentally sensitive Bellandur Lake and Varthur Lake. These lakes have repeatedly drawn attention due to pollution and foam formation caused by untreated sewage and waste.
Apart from lake monitoring, civic authorities have distributed marshals across several waste management locations. Currently, 54 marshals are working at garbage dumping sites, while 50 are stationed at solid waste management units across the city.
Additionally, six marshals have been assigned to the busy KR Market area, while four marshals are deployed at Madiwala Market to monitor sanitation and waste disposal practices.
No Immediate Plan to Increase Marshal Strength
Despite the expanding responsibilities assigned to marshals, authorities have indicated that there are no immediate plans to increase staffing.
Officials from the Greater Bengaluru Authority and Bengaluru Solid Waste Management Limited said that administrative uncertainties and financial limitations are preventing the recruitment of additional personnel.
“There is no clarity yet on the expansion of the number of wards. Nothing has been finalized. There is also a lack of funds to add more staff, so it has been decided to work with the existing workforce,” sources from the civic administration said.
Marshals Struggle With Heavy Workload
According to Colonel Rajbir, the existing workforce is already managing multiple responsibilities, and officials are adjusting duty schedules to cope with the workload.
He said that marshals are currently being rotated between day and night shifts to ensure continuous monitoring of garbage disposal violations and sanitation issues.
One marshal, speaking on condition of anonymity, described the challenges faced by the limited workforce.
“There is a lot of work to do. But managing people and officials is a big challenge. Citizens often refuse to cooperate. One day we are deployed at Indira Canteen, the next day we have to monitor garbage black spots or conduct night patrols to stop illegal dumping,” the marshal said.
The official added that marshals are frequently assigned to assist health inspectors in issuing fines for sanitation violations, making it difficult for the limited workforce to handle all tasks efficiently.
Authorities Urge Public Cooperation
Meanwhile, Kari Gowda emphasised that the current number of marshals is adequate for now and stressed the importance of citizen participation in maintaining cleanliness.
“There are more than 400 marshals in the city, which is sufficient at present. Instead of deploying more personnel, it is important that citizens follow solid waste management rules,” he said.
Gowda also highlighted the need to increase public awareness about waste segregation and responsible disposal, noting that civic authorities are focusing on encouraging behavioural change among residents.
