BENGALURU: It’s been almost two weeks since National Green Tribunal passed an order to clean up Bellandur Lake, but work continues to move slowly even as the deadline approaches.
While Bangalore Development Authority (BDA) started de-weeding process in the lake, Bangalore Water Supply and Sewerage Board (BWSSB) and Lake Development Authority are yet to start the wetland development projects. Karnataka Lake Conservation and Development Authority (KLCDA) is yet to confirm the design of the wetland development in the lake, while BWSSB, which is supposed to implement wetland development along the drain, is yet to finalise the tender.
G Vidyasagar, CEO of KLCDA, visited the lake on Wednesday to check the feasibility of the wetland development designs. He said, “The decision on the design and cost of the wetland project will be taken on Friday.” KLCDA is considering the designs submitted by IISC professor and environmentalist T V Ramachandran and others.
BWSSB Ramakrishna S M, Chief Engineer (waste water management), said, “Our work is the drain on the Koramangala side. We had called for expression of interest from private parties to implement the bio-mediation process. So far, we have received two responses. We have given them two weeks time to quote their cost. By May 8, we will finalise the firm for the work.” Meanwhile, BDA has introduced two harvesters for de-weeding. A BDA official said, “Both the harvesters are removing weeds near Sun City apartment. They have been functioning since Wednesday morning. Two more harvesters will join to speed up the process.”
The NGT order on April 19 came after the sustained inflow of untreated sewage and effluents from apartments and industries had contaminated the Lake. According to the order, urban bodies are supposed to clean the lake in one month’s time.
Complaint filed against urban bodies
Umesh S, an advocate, filed a complaint in Lokayukta on Wednesday against urban bodies and BBMP commissioner, BDA commissioner and chairman, KSPCB authorities and MLA of Bellandur constituency Varthur Prakash for poor maintenance of Bellandur Lake. “Even though several lakhs have been sanctioned for the lake by the Karnataka government, officers have shown negligence and improper maintenance.
Clearly, there has been a dereliction of duty and carelessness. The lakhs of rupees which is misappropriated by raising false bills has to be recovered and the said officers should be punished. I had raised these issues with the officials several times but no actions were taken,” he said.