Kichcha Sudeep
Credit: DH photo
Bengaluru: The Karnataka State Pollution Control Board (KSPCB) has ordered closure of a private amusement park hosting popular Kannada show 'Bigg Boss' for failing to comply with the environment rules despite issuance of notices over a year ago.
In March 2024, the Regional Officer (RO) of Ramanagar found several shortcomings during the inspection of Vels Studios and Entertainment Pvt Ltd (Ms Jolly Wood Studios and Adventures) located in Bidadi Industrial Area, Bengaluru South (Ramanagara) district.
Among the observations made by the officer were the establishment and operation of a studio "without obtaining prior consent from the Board". Secondly, the wastewater generated from different domains of the amusement park was being discharged outside the premises without any treatment. While a sewage treatment plant (STP) of 250 kld was provided, there was no inflow of sewage to the plant and "all the STP units installed were empty and not commissioned."
The officer had made other observations, including the installation of diesel generator sets and non-segregation of waste. A notice was issued to the company in April 2024 to take corrective measures. The unit was again inspected by the RO-Ramanagar in June 2024, but found that the amusement park had not complied with the notice.
Following a meeting of the state-level enforcement committee on September 16, the amusement park was directed to shutdown operation until further orders. "The deputy commissioner, Ramanagar (Bengaluru South) district, to seize the unit forthwith until further orders," it said, adding instructions to other authorities.
Forest, Ecology and Environment Minister Eshwar Khandre said the step was inevitable. "The studio hosting Big Boss was given two notices for operating without any permission but failed to comply with the rules. Action has been initiated as per the law," he stated.