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 footfall of around 12 lakh visitors, according to Minister for Transport and Muzrai Ramalinga Reddy.

This year marked the first time the traditional nut festival was extended to five days.

Speaking to The Hindu, Mr. Reddy said, “According to police estimates, about three lakh people visited on Friday alone, and nearly 12 lakh people attended over the five-day period. This year, the event was held for five days instead of the usual two.”

Cleaning drive

He added that with the festival ending on Friday, a massive cleaning drive would be taken up on Friday night and Saturday to clear the roads and temple surroundings.

“Daily cleaning was carried out during the event as well. To express our gratitude to all the agencies involved in making the event a success, we will hold a vote of thanks event on Monday for officials from various departments, including Greater Bengaluru Authority, Bengaluru Water Supply and Sewerage Board, Bescom, and the police,” Mr. Reddy said.

Low-value plastic

While the Kadlekai Parishe was expected as a clean and plastic-free event this year, the five-day festival, which concluded on November 21, generated around 105 tonnes of waste. This included 45 tonnes of wet waste, 40 tonnes of low-value plastic (LVP), and 20 tonnes of mixed waste. 

To uphold the event’s eco-friendly goals, the Muzrai Department, in collaboration with NGOs, organised awareness campaigns urging shopkeepers and visitors to avoid plastic and use cloth bags instead. 

However, 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 totalling ₹65,000. Additionally, 250 kg of single-use plastic (SUP) items were seized during inspections.