Bellandur lake froth: NGT summons top officials, demands action taken report

The National Green Tribunal (NGT) pulled up the Karnataka government on Thursday for failing to address the frothing in Bellandur lake. The tribunal also directed top state officials to explain the action taken on its directions so far.

The NGT principal bench headed by Justice Swatanter Kumar summoned the Additional Chief Secretary, who heads the Department of Urban Development, and Chief Executive Officer of the Lake Development Authority to appear before it on August 22.

The State has been asked to respond by August 22. Earlier in February, NGT had issued suo motu notice to all civic agencies after a fire broke out in the middle of the lake.

The tribunal has asked the government how many storm-water drains it has cleared, how much waste was removed from the rajakaluves.

It also sought information on where the collected waste has been taken and what preventive steps were being put in place to ensure this does not continue.

While seeking time to file an affidavit the government advocate said due to a cloudburst, the unprecedented rain resulted in froth spilling on to the roads.

Rejecting government plea , the bench said cloudbust would not give rise to froth and smoke. Proper drainage systems, disposal of garbage would not have been like this, the bench observed.

The Tribunal's attention was drawn to the issue in February when reports and photographs appeared of a fire in a mound of garbage near the Bengaluru lake.

The National Green Tribunal has directed authorities to ensure closure of 76 polluting industries around Bengaluru's Bellandur lake. The tribunal also directed authorities to ensure closure of 76 polluting industries around Bengaluru's Bellandur lake.

OneIndia News