Rs 600-crore to clean Bellandur: Karnataka cites 'severe cash crunch'

The ongoing efforts to revive the Bellandur lake may hit a roadblock as the Bengaluru Development Authority (BDA) and other government agencies are facing severe shortage of funds. After the National Green Tribunal pulled up the state government to clean up the lake within one month, the government agencies are now struggling to mobilise funds.

According to an estimation, at least Rs 600 crore more is needed to revitalise the lake. Helpless, BDA had approached the Centre seeking help. But the Central government has reportedly flatly refused to help stating that "It's the state-specific programme and it should be addressed at the state level," reports Suvarna News. But in a sheer apathy of the state government, it has come to light that Chief Minister has reportedly spent Rs 207 crore to polish his image as the elections are nearing.  

In fact, the revival of 931-acre water body has been taken up since April 18. Although the government approached the court over its deadline to clean the lake in a month, the court put off the hearing to July 13. Along with the BDA, several government agencies are involved in the clean-up exercise. They inlcude Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike, Bangalore Water Supply and Sewage Board, Karnataka State Pollution Control Board and Lake Development Authority.

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Meanwhile, the agencies are yet to inspect the industries and apartments - accused of letting untreated waste to the lake - yet. Samples have to be collected from existing sewage treatment plants (STPs) and effluent treatment plants (ETPs). The existing STPs can only treat 250 million litres per day (MLD) of sewage flowing into the lake but new STPS that can treat another 250 MLD of sewage needs to be set up, reports The Times of India. It is reported that according to a rough estimation, to treat 1MLD of sewage would need at least Rs 3 crore which means Rs 750 crore alone would be needed for sewage treatment. Unless, the resources are mobilised soon, complete cleaning-up of Bellandur lake may be a mirage.

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• bellandur lake
• revival of bellandur lake
• BDA
• bellandur lake polluted
• NGT