Arakere

Bangalore Development Authority

Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike

Karnataka

Bengaluru

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In 30 days, I will ensure that all the inlets are closed and no sewage water is allowed inside the lake. We have identified three inlets, which will be routed to the main channel­ –BWSSB officer

Bhagyalakshmi

BBMP to challenge NGT’s order on bio-mining in SC

After survey, civic agencies make many such promises to residentsThe Bangalore Water Supply Sewage Board (BWSSB) has assured stakeholders that all sewage inlets making their way into theLake will be stopped in 30 days.This deadline was set after the BWSSB,(BDA),(BBMP), Corporator of Arakere ward,State Pollution Control Board (KSPCB), Unitedand residents surveyed the lake to take stock of the situation.An assistant-engineer level officer of BWSSB, who had come to the spot said, “In a matter of 30 days, I will ensure that all the inlets are closed and no sewage water is allowed inside the lake. We have identified three inlets, which will be routed to the main channel. As of now, we are facing a problem in the line that runs across Hosur Road. Once that is channelised, all these inlets can go there.”Residents, however, said there are more than three inlets, including one for sewage coming from storm-water drains from the surrounding area that go into the lake.The BDA has ownership of the lake, but said its hands were tied because of a stay order from the court. “The Deputy Commissioner of Bengaluru and the Tahsildar of Bengaluru South should fight the case out in the court. But if the Tahsildar writes a letter to us, we can start work immediately,” said a BDA official. A sum of Rs. 7 crore was sanctioned in 2014 towards development of the lake, but it is lying unused in BDA’s kitty. KSPCB officials promised that they can issue a notice to all violators as soon as the BWWSB and BDA clear the work.Corporator of Arakere ward,Murali, said, “If the work is not done, I will bring it to the notice of Deputy Chief Minister G Parameshwara. I have been following up with everyone involved, but progress on this lake’s work is slow. I will present my version in the Lokayukta court and am willing to adopt the lake if the agencies don’t act efficiently.”However, it is United Bengaluru that has been fighting the case along with the Residents Association in the Karnataka Lokayukta. The next hearing is scheduled for October 30. A resident of the area said, “When BWSSB, BDA, KSPCB, and BBMP know that there are violations, what is stopping them from doing their work? All of them should be punished for letting this lake go to its ruin.”Just days after the National Green Tribune (NGT) slapped a fine of Rs 5 crore on the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) for repeated failure in implementing its direction to ensure bio-mining instead of dumping solid waste in Bengaluru North, the local civic body is all set to challenge the order in the Apex court.BBMP Commissioner, N Manjunatha Prasad, said, “We will challenge the order in Supreme Court as per a report submitted by Indian Institute of Science (IISc) experts, we cannot do bio-mining.” “The city produces about 4,500 tonnes of waste every day, we have seven treatment plants. The rest of the waste goes to landfills. We have been partnered with IISc scientists in the matter and its report says that bio-mining can be done only for waste that is 10 years old. Thus we may not be able to take up bio-mining in the existing landfills,” he explained.