BENGALURU: Bengaluru city's infamous froth has now reached Lakshmisagar village in Kolar district, thanks to Koramangala-Challaghatta Valley project.
While the project was envisaged to recharge groundwater in the depleted aquifers of Kolar district, the froth being churned out in the past two days at the discharge point near Lakshmisagar lake and further downstream has only confirmed the fears villagers had expressed in the past.
The difference in the water quality flowing to the lakes of Kolar in the first two months of the launch of KC Valley project has lead activists to reaffirm their fear groundwater contamination. The repercussions from seepage of heavy metal elements and other chemicals could crawl up the food chain and result in catastrophic consequences, they fear.
Speaking to Express, Anjaneya Reddy from Shashavatha Neeravari Horata Samiti said that the scenes witnessed on Monday morning near Lakshmisagar lake was reminiscent of the scenes witnessed in Bellandur and other frothing lakes of Bengaluru. Considering the frothing, it is clear that treatment of the water has not worked, he said. "This is what we had feared. The region is considered to be the food bowl of Bengaluru as a large amount of vegetables from there. Continuous discharge of such water could further contaminate the already depleted groundwater resources in the region," he said.
Shankar A, a resident of Lakshmisagar village said that the situation has only worsened since the scheme was inaugurated. "Earlier there was just the faint odour of detergent, with little froth. Now, both odour and froth has increased along the lakes in the village," he said. Lakshmisagar has two tanks, one upstream named after the village and another downstream. Both tanks are being filled under the project.
Yellappa Reddy, environmentalist and former Lok Adalat member said that froth - an aerosol suspension contains both bacteria and virus and is a 'mini chemical and biological bomb'. Though local residents may not feel an immediate effect, there will be a long term impact from the same, he said. However, there are methods to tackle this which the government should adopt, he added.Box
What is KC Valley project total cost: Rs 1,280 croreLakes to be filled: 128
Total amount of treated water: 7-8 tmcft
Water from lakes such as Bellandur and Varthur are treated and released to the lakes under the project.