Bellandur lake : NGT wants time bound action plan

The Tribunal directed the State’s counsel to come back with a time bound step wise action plan.

The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has directed the Karnataka Government to focus on time-bound and step by step action plan to improve Agara, Bellandur or Varthur Lakes.

In the last hearing, the Tribunal observed that 'either treated or untreated, sewage must not enter the Agara, Bellandur or Varthur Lake. The Rajakaluves were meant to transfer rain water or stormwater to the lakes and sewage was never meant to be discharged in the Rajakaluves. Due to the rapid development of the Bengaluru city, and planning failure in terms of Underground Sewage Network, sewage was discharged in the Rajakaluves, which has distorted the lakes in the city.'

The Tribunal further observed that the action plan dated 04.09.2017 submitted by the State, as it appears that despite various directions from time to time, the State has not taken any steps to improve the situation.

As such, the Tribunal directed the State to focus on time-bound and step by step action plan, first to stop the entry points of treated or untreated sewage in the lakes, then clean up the lakes, and in the meanwhile develop underground sewage network.

The Tribunal directed the State's counsel to come back with a time-bound stepwise action plan. However, the Counsel for the State Mr Devraj Ashok submitted that he would require approvals from the highest level officials before submitting the timelines, therefore, requested for more time.

The Tribunal has adjourned the hearing to January 29.

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