cut off power

apartments

In a welcome move, the state government has decided tosupply to apartment complexes that do not have their own sewage treatment plants. Many apartment complexes in the city release untreated sewerage directly into lakes and other bodies, leaving them extremely polluted.At a review meeting of development projects by various civic bodies across Bengaluru on Saturday, chief minister Siddaramaiah cautioned officials about the worsening condition of lakes and directed them to crack down on errant people.Taking note of the polluted Bellandur Lake, the chief minister also urged officials to do something to stop the massive foaming and frothing of the lake.Briefing the CM at the meeting, officials said untreated sewage released by apartment complexes was the main cause for the pollution of water bodies.Law provides for mandatory sewerage treatment plant (STPs) atthat have more than 50 dwellings. The latest BWSSB rule calls for STPs even if there are more than five dwelling units in an apartment complex where there are no sewerage lines. But most of the apartment complexes do not have STPs and they release sewerage into lakes, the officials told the CM.Chief secretary Kaushik Mukherjee, who was also present at the meeting, reportedly directed the officials to cut off power supply to such apartment complexes. “The chief secretary directed the BWSSB officials to identify such apartments and recommend disconnection of power to such buildings. In fact, the CM too agreed and supported his direction,” revealed an officer from the CM’s secretariat who attended the meeting.Soon after the meeting, Mukherjee told media persons that government has come up with both short-term and long-term plans to mitigate pollution at Bellandur Lake.“The entire lake has become toxic and needs to be detoxified for complete rejuvenation. The rejuvenation would cost Rs.300-Rs..350 crore which involves setting up of STP plants on the banks of the lake,” he said.Sources revealed that already 600 MLD capacity STP has been set up and works on 150 MLD STP is going on while a proposal to set up another STP with a capacity of 150 MLD is under consideration.The Karnataka State Pollution Control Board has agreed to contribute Rs.100 crore in this regard while others will be met by union government under various schemes.