As froth from Bellandur lake spills over roads, motorists find it hard to drive through at night. Earlier the green tribunal had been intimated about the threats that the froth pose. Following which, the green court had demanded the Chief Secretary of the state to be present during the hearing. The court took a suo motto case based on media reports on February 20 and has also issued notices to the Centre, state, the state pollution control board and the lake development authority in Karnataka. This scene was witnessed after the city was innundated with heavy rains recently
The Siddaramaiah government could not be jolted back from its slumber despite a massive fire breaking out at the Bellandur lake a few months ago. Naturally, to expect the government to react to Twitter videos shot on through the week, showing drivers wading through the froth at night, would be next to impossible. However, the shocking videos that have emerged prove the kind of hell we are living in.
Remember, the froth is toxic and extremely inflammable. Imagine cars and two-wheelers wading through it in almost zero-visibility. Add to it the risk of being burnt alive with a lit cigarette thrown from another car. What about petrol leakage? What if you are travelling with your families and kids? Considering all these while travelling near Bellandur has become a norm these days.
The government apathy is evident, especially if we go through an article in Times of India, which says frothing in Bellandur lake was first cited in the year 2000. 17 years have passed by and the situation has only worsened. Campaigns, bans and cleaning-up spree have all proved to be futile because of a continuous nexus that have taken the reins of the area from the hands of the civic authorities. Corruption theories have emerged, but there has been no solution to it, rendering the citizens even more helpless.
The residents, in fact, have lost all hope that the recommendations made by the lake expert committee, chaired by additional chief secretary for urban development Mahendra Jain, will ever be implemented. While the frequent fire and frothing is an immense threat to the vehicles plying on the streets, the froth poses serious health issues to the residents too. Many have complained of breathlessness, allergic breakout, throat and eye infection and much more. Residents living next to the lake are now contemplating shifting houses rather than surrender to the toxic froth.
While there is no accountability for the serious ailments that residents here suffer, owing up to the risks that drivers encounter on a monsoon night is also conveniently ignored. Watch the videos and you would know what we mean. Zero-visibility from the rain and zero-visibility from the froth made travelling through this part of the city nothing less than an 'adventure'.
