Bengaluru’s historic Kadlekai Parishe ends with estimated 12 lakh visitors; generates 105 tonnes of waste

The historic Kadalekai Parishe, Bengaluru’s iconic annual groundnut fair, concluded after five days with an estimated attendance of around 12 lakh visitors, according to Transport Minister and Muzrai Ramalinga Reddy.

The traditional hazelnut festival was extended to five days for the first time this year.

To talk Hindu, “As per police estimates, around three lakh people visited on Friday alone and around 12 lakh people attended during the five-day period. This year, the event lasted for five days instead of two days as usual,” Mr. Reddy said.

Clean the drive

He added that with the festival ending on Friday, a massive cleansing drive will be carried out to clean the roads and temple surroundings on Friday night and Saturday.

“Daily cleaning was also carried out during the event. To express our gratitude to all the institutions involved in making the event a success, we will organize a thank you event for officials from various departments, including Greater Bengaluru Authority, Bengaluru Water Supply and Sewerage Board, Bescom and police, on Monday,” Mr. Reddy said.

low value plastic

While Kadlekai Congregation was expected to be a clean and plastic-free event this year, approximately 105 tons of waste was generated during the five-day festival, which ended on November 21. This includes 45 tonnes of wet waste, 40 tonnes of low value plastic (LVP) and 20 tonnes of mixed waste.

To support the eco-friendly objectives of the event, the Muzrai Department collaborated with NGOs to organize awareness campaigns encouraging shopkeepers and visitors to stay away from plastic and use cloth bags instead.

However, the Bengaluru Solid Waste Management Limited (BSWML) found visitors violating the rules and took strict action against single-use plastics, registering 205 cases and imposing fines totaling ₹65,000. Additionally, 250 kg of single-use plastic (SUP) items were seized during the inspections.