Minister raps officials for polluting Kolar lake

Minor Irrigation minister CS Puttaraju on Thursday pulled up Bangalore Sewerage and Water Supply Board (BWSSB) and minor irrigation department officials for streaming polluted water into Lakshmisagar lake near Kolar.

Puttaraju kept his maiden visit to Bellandur lake and Challaghatta valley a surprise after the High Court took cognizance of frothing in Lakshmisagar Lake. He warned officials to ensure the mistake is not repeated, asking the heads of both the departments to submit a detailed report on the cause of pollution and frothing of the water body.

Officials tried justifying the contamination saying the valves of the Sewage Treatment Plant were recently treated chemically which led to the pollution.

“We tried telling the minister that water quality is good, but the chemicals were stuck in the pipe and entered Kolar lake during the first three hours (of streaming),” said a BWSSB official.

The minister, however, seemed unconvinced and was seen shouting at the officials: “Why did they not check the water quality before opening the valves and letting it flow uninterrupted into the lake. After I get the report, a detailed review meeting will be held on the issue and future course of action will be decided.”

Puttaraju also directed the BWSSB and minor irrigation officials to speed up the process of installing STPs along the Kommaghatta and Challaghatta valley and clean up the 58 kms pipe supplying water to Kolar.

He also directed the officials to repair the faulty pipe valves and gates.

The minister also assured that the government would comply with the directions issued by the High Court.