City wakes up to clean streets, thanks to pourakarmikas working overnight | Bengaluru News
Bengaluru: After a high-energy New Year celebration that brought lakhs of revellers to central Bengaluru’s MG Road, Church Street, Brigade Road and Residency Road — the city woke up on Jan 1 to surprisingly clean roads, thanks to the overnight efforts of pourakarmikas.Across a 2-km stretch that saw massive footfall, nearly 8–9 tonnes of waste was generated — almost half of last year’s volume — signalling improved public behaviour and tighter waste management. Behind the swift turnaround was a well-coordinated sanitation drive led by Bangalore Solid Waste Management Ltd (BSWL).Around 100 pourakarmikas worked in two shifts: the first batch, consisting of nearly 30 male workers, began operations as early as 3am, clearing bottles, food waste and litter even as celebrations were winding down. A second and larger team of 70 pourakarmikas took over at 5.30am, ensuring the stretch was spotless before the city fully woke up.Officials said waste composition also showed a marked decline. “Around 300–400 kg of waste comprised alcohol bottles — plastic, glass and metal cans — while discarded slippers accounted for about 150kg, down from 250kg last year,” said a BSWML official.
