JOIN USBellandur mess: NGT fines Karnataka, BBMP
The National Green Tribunal on Thursday asked the Karnataka Government to keep Rs 500 crore in the escrow account to implement an action plan to rejuvenate Bellandur lake in Bengaluru.
The NGT, which is hearing a case of fire, pollution and encroachment in Bellanduru lake, in its final order also directed the Karnataka Government to pay Rs 50 crore to Central Pollution Control Board (CPWD) and Bhruhat Bengaluru Mahanagar Palike (BBMP) to deposit Rs 25 crore.
Expressing unhappiness over the poor restoration of lake and removal of encroachments from stormwater drains in Karnataka, the NGT set up a committee headed by Former Supreme Court Judge Justice Santosh Hegde to oversee restoration work for Bellandur lake.
"Recommendations made by the Panjwani committee may be carried out to ensure that no pollutant waste is discharged into the lakes. Encroachments in the catchment areas to be removed," the NGT said.
Compliance with the NGT order should be overseen by a committee headed by former Supreme Court Judge Justice Santosh Hegde. IISC professor Prof Ramachandran and a nominee of the CPCB will be panel members.
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The committee has to set up a website to receive complaints and suggestions. The committee will oversee timelines and action plans to be prepared by the state of Karnataka, according to Sajan Poovayya, a senior advocate representing Namma Bengaluru Foundation.
An action plan is to be prepared by the state of Karnataka within one month specifying the timeline for the various actions to be initiated, the order said.
The Karnataka Government should furnish a performance guarantee to execute the action plan in a timebound manner.
Karnataka should have to pay another Rs. 100 crores if there is a failure to implement the plan.
"CPCB to make guidelines and regulations denoting the penalties and amounts to be recovered from individuals and institutions for failure to comply, " the order said.