Govt sets up panel to revive Bellandur lake

A committee headed by Additional Chief Secretary Mahendra Jain has been set up to find a permanent solution to the sewage problem in Bellandur lake and revive the water body.

Announcing the decision at a workshop on Bellandur lake on Thursday, Bengaluru Development Minister K J George said the committee comprised representatives from the government, non-governmental organisations and experts, which will submit its report to the government in three weeks.

The workshop was organised by the Bangalore Development Authority to initiate steps to rejuvenate the lake. It was a coincidence that the pre-planned event took place a day after the National Green Tribunal passed a stringent order on illegal constructions on Bellandur lakebed, which will have a bearing on all the lakes and their rajakaluves (feeder canals) across Bengaluru.

NGOs such as Namma Bengaluru Foundation and Citizens’ Action Forum and experts attended the event and gave a power-point presentations on possible ways to rejuvenate the lake.

Expressing concern over the poor condition of the lake, George said it was a victim of uncontrolled and rapid growth of Bengaluru.

“It is 100% polluted and there is an urgent need to revive it. Experts have suggested that there is no oxygen left in the lake and hence it is important for us to work on a comprehensive plan to save it. I appreciate the interest shown by the citizens, experts and activists towards solving the Bellandur crisis,” said George.

Food and Civil Supplies Minister Dinesh Gundu Rao, Rajya Sabha member Rajeev Chandrasekhar, Mayor B N Manjunath Reddy, Mahendra Jain and environmentalist A N Yellappa Reddy attended the workshop.