BWSSB to be sued for polluting Bellandur Lake

BWSSB turning polluter? Board may be sued for sullying Bellandur lake
Vijay TImes

Bangalore: The Karnataka State Pollution Control Board (KSPCB) has planned to initiate legal proceedings against Bangalore W ater Supply and Sewerage Board (BWSSB), holding it responsible for pollution in Bellandur lake.

B Ramaiah, KSPCB Member-Secretary , told Vijay Times the untreated water is directly entering into the lake and the KSPCB is exploring legal ways and means to handle the situation. W e approached the court on several issues, but all of them have been dismissed saying there is no government permission to admit the case, which should be obtained by petitioner , he said.

He said the matter will be taken up with the field officer concerned under whose jurisdiction the lake falls.

KSPCB officials said untreated water was being let into the lake, which has led to pollution in the lake, causing irreparable damage to it.

In 2002, the KSPCB officials who inspected the lake found one of the treatment plants set up by BWSSB was over fed, while one was defunct.

Three treatment plants of 163 MLD (million litres per day), 55 MLD and 30 MLD have been constructed at Bellandur .

Y et, the water from storm water drain is directly entering the lake.

However , the problem is BWSSB being a government body , KSPCB (a government organisation) requires prior permission from the State Government to initiate legal proceedings against it, said S G Dattathri, KSPCB Advisor . W e have written to the government requesting immediate permission, he said.

W e have found a High Court judgement dated Aug 21, 2003, in which the Davangere environment officer had filed a case against the district administration for letting sewerage water into usable water without treating. The case was dismissed by local JMFC court, but the High Court set aside the order and directed the JMFC court to re-register the case and proceed with law by examining reasons to see what prima facie case existed to proceed against the accused.