NGT asks Karnataka govt to expedite restoration work of lakes in Bengaluru

The National Green Tribunal has asked the state government to complete the remaining works of restoration of Bellandur, Agara and Varthur lakes in Bengaluru at the earliest and asked the Justice Santosh Hegde-headed Monitoring Committee to review the works.

While asking the committee to monitor the steps taken by BBMP or other departments for rejuvanation of water bodies, the NGT also told the panel to submit a report by January 15, 2021, about the status of works as on December 31.

The NGT also asked the Chief Secretary to submit a consolidated report covering the steps taken by all the departments concerned.

The Principal Bench of the NGT headed by its chairperson Justice Adarsh Kumar Goel passed this order while hearing petitions regarding remedial action for restoration of Bellandur, Agara and Varthur lakes in Bengaluru, including preventing discharge and dumping of pollutants, removing encroachments from catchment area and other steps.

On amicus curiae Panjwani’s note submitting that BWSSB has failed to undertake the work earnestly, which calls for invoking performance guarantee and fixing responsibility of the individuals, the bench asked the monitoring committee to look into it.

The Tribunal suggested to take up more sampling of desilted debris/sludge at appropriate representative locations. It sought for finalisation of a comprehensive database and disposal protocol in consultation with the Central Pollution Control Board. This will avoid unnecessary delay and cost, the Tribunal said.

Earlier while passing an order in December 2019, the Tribunal set September 30 2020 as the deadline for the execution of projects for setting up of STPs and laying of sewerage network and deadline may not be extended. If the works remain incomplete even till September 30, compensation will be liable to be paid at Rs. 10 lakh per STP per month which may be liable to be recovered from the erring officers, apart from adverse entries in their service records and other adverse action.

The tribunal also said that Bangaluru Water Supply and Sewerage Board (BWSSB) must ensure that no sewage effluent is discharged into the lakes and till setting up of STPs, interim remediation must be done forthwith. Any default in this regard will result in the requirement to pay compensation of Rs. 5 lakh per month per inlet into the lakes from 1 February 2020.