BESCOM to cut electricity to industries around Bellandur Lake

After the NGT further cracked down on Bengaluru authorities, stringent action has begun against industries polluting Bellandur Lake. Upon the Karnataka State Pollution Control Board's directive, defaulting industries around the lake will now have no electricity. However, ISRO and HAL officers are exempt from closure even though they are on the defaulting industries list. Karnataka State Pollution Control Board Chairman Lakshman C said apartments will also be under scrutiny.

The Karnataka State Pollution Control Board (KSPCB) has gotten tough on polluting industries around Bellandur Lake. On May 19, the board directed BESCOM to cut off electricity to industries that are known to produce effluents into the lake.

The KSPCB’s strict order comes after the National Green Tribunal (NGT) issued a deadline to clean up the lake. The NGT had demanded to know why the KSPCB had only issued closure notices and didn’t ensure that these industries would in fact shut down.

KSPCB chairman Lakshman C said that 90 per cent of the 76 defaulting industries will have no power by May 22. He also said that 157 apartments around the lake will be under scrutiny. Building complexes which produce effluents into the lake will also have their electricity cut off, said Lakshman. He added that 8 criminal cases have been registered against building owners.  

However, the KPSCB’s first step will be to ensure that defaulting industries shut down their operations. Lakshman said that industries that use generators even after their electricity supply has been cut off will be sealed. Nevertheless, he said that Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) and Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL) will not be closed.

The government-run offices, which are among the defaulting industries around the lake, are exempt after a team from KSPCB investigated their STPs and gave it clearance.