BENGALURU: Forest, Environment and Ecology Minister Ramalinga Reddy on Thursday said notices will be issued to apartments, individual houses, industries and commercial establishments for letting waste waste into drains and failing to treat it. The minister came down heavily on Bangalore Water Supply and Sewerage Board (BWSSB) and Karnataka State Pollution Control Board (KSPCB) officials for not adhering to rules and taking action.
Speaking to the media on the sidelines of a meeting with officials of the two departments, he said, “One week’s time has been given to officials to submit a detailed report of all units not connected to the drainage system, and not following norms. One month has been given to BWSSB and KSPCB to install the required Sewage Treatment Plants (STPs) and reduce waste inflow into rivers, particularly the Cauvery and Arkavathy rivers.”
Reddy said it is shocking that only 25 per cent of STPs are working in accordance with NGT guidelines and parameters. He said BWSSB has been given a month’s time to set things right, failing which action will be taken.
This comes at a time when the Tamil Nadu government has filed a case before the National Green Tribunal, pertaining to rising pollution levels in the Cauvery river. Reddy said the next hearing date is scheduled for November 14, before which things need to be set right. The case pertains to rising sewage levels, silt and sediments in the river, making it unfit for drinking purposes.
Reddy admitted that barring 4-5 rivers in the state, most of the rivers and water bodies are polluted because of poor functioning of STPs and untreated waste water released from various establishments.
He said the total sewage generated in Bengaluru is 2580MLD. The present capacity of 37 functioning STPs under BWSSB is 1364.5MLD, leaving a gap in the treatment of 1215.5MLD.
Reddy said directions have been issued to BWSSB to speed up ongoing work on 42 STPs to treat 1147MLD and and upgrade the capacity of existing STPs by 60MLD. He set a December deadline for seven STPs with a total capacity of 51MLD and December 2027 as the deadline for 17 more STPs with 413MLD capacity.
At the meeting, Reddy also directed BWSSB to complete work on nine STPs having a total capacity of 148MLD and a December 2029 deadline for nine more STPs of 535MLD total capacity.
Admitting to the polluted Vrushabhavathy and KC valleys, Reddy said he will be visiting them next week to take stock of the ground situation.
He has sought a report on all functioning STPs and polluting sources, including residential, commercial and industrial units. He said addressing the source is essential as water from Bengaluru flows downstream, affecting the lives of others.
He added that he will also be visiting Peenya and Jigani industrial areas to check on the solid and liquid waste generated. The minister said special directions were issued to KSPCB to check on dying and garment industries which release untreated waste into water bodies.
