Centre approves of measures to revive Bengaluru lakes

With half of Bengaluru's effluent discharged into the lakes untreated, the Centre yesterday approved a series of measures for checking pollution, including making mandatory for all sewage treatment plants (STPs) to install round-the-clock monitoring systems and appointment of lake wardens for involving the public in conservation efforts.

 

It has also been decided that all residential group housing projects or apartments in the city with more than 20 units and total built-up area of 2,000 sqm will have to install STP.

 

The ministry is also considering bringing in an over-arching law for lake preservation in the city.

 

"There are three-four issues which as a regulatory ministry we will deal with. We will put a condition of 24/7 monitoring on existing and future STPs, including residential and commercial ones and lake water quality.

 

"Norms will be upgraded. There was also a demand for an over-arching law for lake preservation. We will also consider that. We will monitor the progress every six months," Union Minister Prakash Javadekar said after co-chairing a two-hour review meeting for preservation and rejuvenation of city lakes with Union Minister Ananth Kumar, who is the MP from Bengaluru.

 

Karnataka Environment and Ecology Minister Ramanath Rai, along with state officials, was present at the meeting.

 

Javadekar said the corporate sector was also being involved in the effort to conserve and preserve the lakes in Bengaluru.

 

Listing out the initiatives taken by the state government in this regard, Javadekar said it has banned plastic, formed an authority and prepared a lake by lake restoration plan with a timeline.

 

"We will implement 24/7 monitoring. Local officers will also be empowered. Things do not happen overnight. This has happened as it was a backlog of 40-50 years. Half of Bengaluru's sewage goes untreated into the lakes. So we build capacities. This will take next three years. Things are on track," Javadekar said.

 

Union minister Kumar said the Environment Minister has assured him of bio-development of lakes in Bengaluru which will include parameters of oxygenisation of the lakes. "We will remove all pollution through STPs and various other measures," he said.

 

The other measures include reuse of treated sewage for various purposes and dual piping system to be prescribed in apartments and commercial establishments for reuse of treated sewage, regular monitoring of STPs by State Pollution Control Board (SPCB), the appointment of 'Lake Wardens' for the involvement of public in lake conservation and others.