JOIN USTreated water from Bellandur lake may cater to industries
The Karnataka Industrial Areas Development Board (KIADB) is planning to use treated sewage water from the Bellandur lake for industrial purpose.
The move is aimed at stopping the flight of industries due to lack of adequate water facility in the Special Economic Zones (SEZs) in Kolar, Malur and Hoskote.
Once a lifeline for Bangalore’s demand for potable water, Bellandur lake has now become a catchment area for sewage water. Water, which none presumed will be utilised, from Bangalore’s largest lake.
Officials state that over the last few months, companies located in Narasapura SEZ in Kolar, Malur SEZ and companies in Hoskote region have been expressing concern over shortage of water.
Sources in the Commerce and Industries (C&I) department said that a Rs 200-crore pipeline project has been approved by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah to re-route treated water towards the three SEZs. It is estimated that 100 to 150 industrial units will be supplied treated water for day-to-day consumption.
The ambitious project of KIADB proposes to divert 40 million litres per day to the SEZs. The KIADB intends to treat the waste water at a Sewage Treatment Plant (STP) in Hoskote, before supplying it to industries.
According to the Bruhat Bangalore Mahanagara Palike, 400 to 500 million litres of sewage is let into the Bellandur lake every day. The overall catchment area is about 287.33 sq km with a water spread area of 361 hectares. It is said that KIADB has already prepared the detailed project report and is ready to call for tenders.
The naysayers
However, C&I officials say that there have been certain disconcerting developments in the last few days with a few Bangalore MLAs meeting Siddaramaiah and trying to persuade him to divert the same scheme of treated water to other dry lakes in the City. Sources said that if the chief minister obliges them, it will become harder for KIADB to keep the existing companies in the SEZs and attract fresh investments.