Bengaluru's civic authorities have levied a significant penalty against multiplex giant PVR INOX for flagrant violations of the city's Solid Waste Management (SWM) rules. Inspectors from the Bengaluru South City Corporation (BSCC) fined the company ₹75,000 after discovering issues with waste segregation and the use of prohibited single-use plastics.
The penalty was imposed following an inspection at the PVR INOX outlet located on Hosur Main Road in the Lakkasandra Ward, under the BTM Layout constituency. Officials observed staff failing to properly separate wet and dry waste at the source. Additionally, the multiplex was found to be actively serving customers with items made from banned single-use plastic materials.
Breakdown of the Penalty
The ₹75,000 fine was divided into two distinct parts: ₹50,000 was charged for the failure to segregate waste, and an additional ₹25,000 was imposed for the use of banned single-use plastics. PVR INOX management was instructed to rectify these issues immediately, emphasizing the necessity of source-level segregation and the complete elimination of prohibited plastic items.
Wider Enforcement Drive by BSCC
This action against PVR INOX is part of an ongoing and aggressive campaign by the BSCC targeting commercial establishments that disregard waste management regulations. During the same inspection sweep, officials also penalized staff at Forum Mall on Kanakapura Main Road. The mall was fined ₹50,839 after inspectors found sewage treatment plant (STP) waste dumped near a supermarket in the Jayanagar Housing Society Layout.
BSCC Commissioner KN Ramesh affirmed that ward-level inspections will persist without interruption. He issued a stern warning to all bulk waste generators, including malls, multiplexes, and hotels, to strictly adhere to established standards for waste segregation and scientific disposal.
Bengaluru continues to face significant challenges with source-level waste segregation, illegal dumping, and widespread plastic pollution, generating thousands of tonnes of solid waste daily. Municipal authorities frequently attribute these issues to deliberate non-compliance by high-volume commercial entities, which contributes to overflowing public bins and clogged drainage systems across the city.