Halt KC Valley water to Kolar: HC

The Karnataka High Court on Tuesday directed the state government not to resume pumping of water to Kolar and Chikkaballapur districts from the KC Valley project till the next date of hearing.

A division bench headed by Chief Justice Dinesh Maheshwari passed the interim order while hearing a public interest litigation (PIL) filed by R Anjaneya Reddy, a resident of Chikkaballapur.

While referring to the affidavit filed by the state along with the report of the Scientific Officer of the KSPCB, the government counsel stated that pumping of water was stopped from July 13, 2018, as some untreated water entered the lakes following heavy rain.

In response to this, the bench expressed strong disappointment over untreated water entering the lakes and orally observed that the state government was responsible for it.

“What kind of officers do you have? Didn’t your officers have the foresight of rain? This is something very strange.”

The petitioner’s counsel argued that the KSPCB, in its reports, had inferred that the quality of water samples collected from Lakshmisagar lake in Kolar was unsatisfactory.

In response to this, the government counsel justified the project saying it aimed to recharge groundwater and was not for agriculture. He clarified that the term “unsatisfactory” applied to human consumption and not for agriculture.

The court also observed that the project was welcome in terms of its intention and that it serves several purposes if it is implemented properly. “If not implemented properly, it can become disastrous,” it observed.
The petitioner’s counsel also argued that the government advocate was misleading the court.

There is no separate water for agriculture or domestic purpose. KSPCB’s report itself stated that the unpleasant odour and colour of the water has to be removed. People are using the lake water for domestic purpose, which could lead to health hazards.

The petitioner’s counsel also added that water is being pumped from the STPs of Bellandur lake and even open wells are polluted. He added that this is a very serious situation.

Against this, the government advocate stated that the state has adopted the parameters fixed by the Union government and the World Health Organisation with regard to the quality of water.

Having heard both the parties, the court asked the state to file an affidavit with regard to the quality of water in areas in question.

The court stated that Bangalore Water Supply and Sewerage Board should also be made a party to the petition.

The court adjourned the matter for hearing to August 1.