Karnataka State Pollution Control Board issues shutdown of 13 'red category' industries near Bellandur Lake

BENGALURU: The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has ordered the immediate closure of industries in the vicinity of Bellandur Lake, but so far closure notices have been served on only 13 industries. In fact, 46 highly polluting industries had been identified under the red category.

After the NGT order, industries were categorised under three heads and action is being initiated. Of the total of 488 industries around Bellandur Lake, 76 are listed under orange category (medium polluting) and 366 under green category (less polluting or no pollution), according to the Karnataka State Pollution Control Board (KSPCB).

Of the 488 industries, 97 are water-based units and 13 of these, which come under red category, have been served closure notices.

Noted environmentalist A N Yellappa Reddy feels that irrespective of level of pollution, any industry that is causing frothing of the lake must be shut down.

The NGT order stated that all industries located in the vicinity of Bellandur Lake and discharging effluents have to be closed. It said no industry is permitted to operate unless inspection by a joint team is conducted and analysis of effluents is found to be within the permissible limits.

Mohan Krishna, environmental officer of KSPCB, said, “We have not received the order yet. Once we receive it, our legal team will go through the directions and give us their opinion. Based on that, we will take action.”

Civic expert Sridhar Pabbisetty said, “There are many questions that the KSPCB has to answer for allowing continuous pollution in lake. We hope they will take action against all industries without fear or favour.”

Speaking to Express, KSPCB chairman Laxman said, “We have formed four teams which are doing the rounds and taking note of the situation around the lake. They will submit their report on the red category industries, especially regarding those asked to close down. If the 13 industries do not shut on their own, we will close them on Wednesday.”

Mohan Krishna said, “We have to shut down highly polluting industries. Our officers are collecting evidence. We cannot shut them all of a sudden. There is a procedure involved. We may have to give time to some of them.”

Many offices of Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL) too have been put under red category. However, residents have raised doubts about the approach of the agencies towards HAL.
Monil J says, “If HAL is taken care of, half of the effluents will stop. It is a huge space and they release large amounts of sewage into the lake. But since it is a central agency, the agencies have been liberal towards them.”

KSPCB officer Mohan Krishna differed saying, “HAL has some systems to treat water, but we have asked them to make it effective. We will be sorting out the issue with HAL as well.”