MP demands strict action against lake polluters in Bengaluru

 The pollution of lakes and valley zones in Bengaluru due to “rampant” real estate projects and untreated sewage was raised in the Upper House on Thursday with Rajya Sabha member Rajeev Chandrasekhar demanding strict action against the culprits.

Raising the issue during Zero Hour, the independent MP from Karnataka cited the “shameful example” of Varthur lake where effluent discharge caused it to overflow onto the road.

Demanding a survey by the Union Environment Ministry on pollution in the City, he said several commercial projects had encroached on or were coming up near many of the lakes.

On Varthur lake, he said illegal construction and dumping of debris in and on the perimeter of the water body was dealing a “huge blow” to the freshwater ecosystem. This is leading to one of the largest water bodies in Bengaluru being declared a “dead” lake, he said.

“This rampant, unchecked corruption by vested interests and increasing levels of pollution have resulted in frustrated citizens filing many PILs seeking the intervention of the National Green Tribunal and other courts. The risk posed by rampant encroachment is only amplified by the unabated pollution of these lakes from the untreated sewage from real estate projects and other sources,” he said.

He said the Union government should take steps to ensure that the lakes of Bengaluru did not fall victim to “reckless commercialisation and unchecked pollution”.

The Environment Ministry should conduct an audit and review of all clearances and approvals given to lakebed and ecologically sensitive projects in Bengaluru on an urgent basis to ensure that no clearances and approvals have been given to these private projects on illegal or corrupt grounds, he said.

“It must conduct a study on the compliance of environmental conditions of such projects and must make these reports public and take appropriate action against those projects that have failed to comply with the mandatory environmental compliance conditions.

Strict penalties must be imposed on real estate companies and government agencies if they are found discharging untreated effluents into lakes,” he said.

Later, Chandrasekhar met Environment Minister Prakash Javadekar who assured him that he would look into the issue and take action, if necessary.