STP to be must for malls, hotels, hospitals

It will soon be mandatory for malls, hotels and hospitals to install sewage treatment plants.

The Karnataka State Pollution Control Board says many such establishments fall under the red (most polluting) category, generating more than 100 kilo litres of liquid waste a day, and will have to comply with environmental regulations.

The Provisional Revised Master Plan 2031, prepared by the Bangalore Development Authority, also recommends strict anti-pollution measures, board chairman Lakshman said.

"We will insist on sewage and effluent treatment plants. We can't ask them to shift out of Bengaluru, but we will issue closure orders if they don't follow central pollution norms," he said.

Businesses are not happy. They want the government to improve infrastructure before enforcing such rules.

Veerendra N Kamat, Bruhat Bengaluru Hotels Association, said it would be difficult for old establishments to set up sewage treatment plants.

"Star hotels can comply, but it won't be easy for smaller hotels," he said.

In central parts of Bengaluru, sewage lines have not been repaired for years. The government should first improve them and help set up common sewage treatment plants, Kamat urged.

In 1998, the board had made it mandatory for all hospitals to set up biomedical waste processing units.  

Dr Narendranath V, executive committee member of the Private Hospitals and Nursing Homes Association, said only major hospitals would be able to set up sewage treatment plants.

"Most hospitals haven't even installed biomedical waste processing units. That's because they face space constraints and are up against stringent government rules," he said.

Over the past few months, the pollution control board has issued notices to about 300 apartment complexes under Section 33 (A) of the Air and Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act of 1974.

Many malls and commercial establishments are now in the process of installing sewage treatment plants. Some are buying additional land for the purpose.

Uday Garudachar, builder and owner of Garuda Mall, said malls were keeping the government updated about the work under way.