Bengaluru is on the cusp of a transformative decision regarding a massive Rs 30,000 crore public-private partnership (PPP) tender aimed at establishing large-scale integrated solid waste management facilities in both north and south zones of the city. This initiative represents one of the most ambitious overhauls of Bengaluru's waste management infrastructure in recent history.
Evolution of the Tender Process
The tender, floated by the Bengaluru Solid Waste Management Limited (BSWML), has undergone multiple iterations to reach its current stage. The initial call, issued in four packages on November 7, 2024, unfortunately failed to attract any bidders. A subsequent attempt on August 11, 2025, with the tender divided into two packages, drew interest from three bidders, but none qualified due to technical and documentation-related shortcomings.
The third and current call, issued on November 5, 2025, has seen more promising progress. Three bidders have successfully qualified at the technical evaluation stage, and the financial assessment is currently underway. This marks a significant step forward for the project, which envisages a single concessionaire handling the entire waste management value chain.
Project Scope and Infrastructure
Under this comprehensive project, the selected concessionaire will be allotted 100 acres of land in both north and south Bengaluru for setting up integrated waste processing facilities. Sources within BSWML have confirmed that the land has already been identified, including parcels at Terra Farms near Yelahanka in the northern part of the city.
The concessionaire will bear full responsibility for end-to-end management of wet, dry, and animal waste. This encompasses collection from transfer stations, processing, disposal, and long-term maintenance. While BSWML will facilitate basic infrastructure development, operational responsibility rests entirely with the private partner.
Infrastructure Support and Operational Responsibilities
BSWML CEO Karee Gowda clarified the division of responsibilities, stating, "We will build the compound wall and facilitate utilities such as Bescom power supply and BWSSB water connections. Beyond that, the entire operation and maintenance will be handled by the bidder."
According to official specifications, wet waste will be processed into biogas, compost, and electricity. Bidders are granted flexibility to adopt technologies of their choice, provided they comply with the Solid Waste Management Rules of 2016. The operator will also be permitted to sell manure generated from wet waste to farmers.
Dry waste must be recycled to the maximum extent possible, while non-recyclable fractions will be directed to landfills that the concessionaire is required to identify, develop, and maintain independently.
Collection and Transportation Framework
The responsibility for primary garbage collection through auto-tippers will remain with civic agencies up to the points of compactors and transfer stations. From that point onward—including secondary transportation, processing, and final disposal—the responsibility shifts entirely to the concessionaire.
The project's coverage extends to waste generated within both the Greater Bengaluru Authority (GBA) limits and the broader Bengaluru Urban district, ensuring comprehensive waste management across the metropolitan area.
Strategic Shift and Expert Perspectives
Officials have confirmed that this integrated concessionaire model signals a decisive shift toward centralized, large-scale waste management in Bengaluru. While authorities argue that this approach will reduce fragmentation and improve accountability, experts have raised concerns about potential limitations.
Some industry observers worry that the high financial thresholds associated with the project may restrict participation to only a handful of large firms, potentially reshaping Bengaluru's waste economy for decades to come. Sources have indicated that a Hyderabad-based firm is among the frontrunners for this high-value contract, highlighting the competitive nature of this landmark tender.
