KSPCB files criminal case against water board for polluting lakes

The Karnataka State Pollution Control Board (KSPCB) has filed a criminal case against Bangalore Water Supply and Sewerage Board (BWSSB) “ for allowing untreated sewage to flow into stormwater drains and lakes including Bellandur and Varthur in the City and there by polluting the environment.”

A criminal case has been filed under Section 44 of the Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974, which provides for imprisonment for a term not less than one year and six months and extends to six years with a fine.

KSPCB chairman Vaman Acharya said that despite issuing several notices for the past one year, the BWSSB had failed to take action for curbing the flow of sewage into the stormwater drains connecting to the lakes. 

Notices served“A criminal case has been filed and the matter will be heard in the jurisdictional court.  The BDA and BBMP have also been served notices for failing to protect the lakes,” he added.

Referring to discharge of untreated effluents from industries, Acharya said that the industries in the City use four million litres of water per day and hence the amount of effluent discharged was negligible. “The amount of waste water let out from the industries is insignificant compared to that of untreated sewage let out by households,” he said.

Acharya said that civic agencies blaming each other would not help check pollution of lakes. The BWSSB must come up with smaller sewage treatment plants and wet wells around the lakes in order to stop sewage being dumped into the lake. Pipelines have to be laid to prevent the flow of sewage water in stormwater drains, Acharya added.

DPR submittedOn the other hand, the BWSSB, in its reply to a complaint filed before the Upa Lokayukta, has stated that Rs 1,000 crore was required to clean Bellandur and Varthur lakes and the various inlet drains. 

According to a BWSSB official, it has been estimated that Rs 5,500 crore was required to create sewage and pipeline infrastructure in 110 villages, newly added to the Palike limits.

A detailed project report (DPR) has been submitted to the government and funds have also been sought from Japan International Cooperation Agency.