HC orders government to submit report on Bellandur lake within 6 weeks

Shifting of 60 out of 74 industries from Bellandur mooted, notice already issued. Special officer appointed to revive the lake. Small term and long term schemes worked out

The High Court has instructed the State government to submit a report within 6 weeks, detailing how the lake revival and development plans will be carried out. A Bench consisting Chief Justice S K Mukherjee and justice P S Dinesh Kumar inquired into the Public Interest Litigation submitted by the HSR Layout residents and MP D Kupendra Reddy and instructed that a report detailing the action taken to prevent the effluents coming into the lake.

Earlier, Public Prosecutor V Srinidhi submitted a primary report with regard to action taken for revival and protection of the lake. He said it is mooted to shift 60 out of 74 industries located on the lakes elsewhere and notices are already issued.

The Chief Secretaries of both Urban Development Department and the Forest Department are appointed by the High Court as Special Officers to take action with regard to reviving the Bellandur lake. An Expert Committee is also set up, under the Additional Secretaries of these two departments and the committee has already met twice for discussions.  Short term and long term plans are designed for the lake revival.

Lake cleaning activities are already undertaken and it is planned to set up a water treatment plant at the major Raja kaluve near the lake, he said.

Responding to this the Bench asked for a report to be submitted within 6 weeks detailing the time required to clean the lake.