Clean up Bellandur lake, says environmentalist

Clean up Bellandur lake, says environmentalist

The Hindu

Action plan for the development of the lake discussed

# Capacity of sewage treatment plant attached to the lake has been expanded
# Former legislator suggests removing silt from the lake

BANGALORE: Environmentalist A.N. Yellappa Reddy on Tuesday urged the Lake Development Authority (LDA), Bangalore Water Supply Sewerage Board (BWSSB), Karnataka State Pollution Control Board and other agencies concerned to clean up the polluted Bellandur lake on a war-footing in the wake of the spread of diseases such as the dengue fever.

He was addressing representatives from the LDA, BWSSB, KSPCB and the commissioners of the City Municipal Councils of Bommanahalli and Mahadevapura, who met in Bellandur to discuss the action plan for the development of the lake.

The action plan report had been submitted to the Lok Adalat court at its last hearing by the agencies concerned. On the plea of the petitioners that the Bellandur Panchayat was not satisfied with the progress, the court had reportedly directed the agencies to visit the area and reassure the public and the panchayat.

Officials of the BWSSB said that the capacity of the Sewage Treatment Plant attached to the lake had been increased by 55 million litres a day (MLD) from 163 MLD. The lake had an estimated sewage inflow of 384 MLD. With the addition of two more sewage treatment plants, one near Agaram and another under the Cauvery II Stage, the sewage problem could be resolved, an official said.

But residents of Bellandur and neighbouring areas such as Koramangala were not convinced. They said the plants' capacity would have to be increased by another 100 MLD, as the population would shoot up, and the sewage inflow would only increase in the future.

Koramangala Residents Civic Group president Ramamurthy had another reason to feel sceptical: "During rainy season, water from both the drainages and the open storm water drains flow into the sewage treatment plant. If sewage mixed with rainy water is allowed to get into the lake, what is the point," he wondered.

Ramachandra Reddy, a former legislator, suggested removing silt from the lake on the lines of the Ulsoor and Hebbal lakes.