Report by BBMP on Bellandur, Varthur and Agara lakes, Bengaluru, Karnataka
Compliance report by Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) in respect of the directions issued by the National Green Tribunal order of December 6, 2018 and December 18, 2019 in Application No. 125/2017 on lake pollution in Bangalore.
p>The NGT had directed that “no further channelization and concretization of Rajakaluves” and the action plan prepared and finalised stated that the concretization of storm water drains is avoided in all big rajakaluves having width of more than 4.00 mtrs. As regards to encroachments removal on the rajkaluves by February 12, 2020, 1890 cases of encroachments are removed and 736 cases are pending out of which in about 369 cases, survey work was in progress and removal of encroachments on 367 cases are in progress. Physical guarding of Bellandur, Varthur and Agara lakes and their buffer zones has led to stoppage of construction and demolition and solid waste dumping. No structures are permitted to be constructed within the buffer zones of rajakaluves as per zoning regulations 2015.
Further, detailed project report was under preparation to dispose off the silt removed from storm water drain and lakes in a scientific manner into the abandoned quarries as per Solid Waste Management Rule, 2016, so that the quarry land is reclaimed and also such reclaimed land can be later used for afforestation and parks. BBMP has deposited a sum of Rs. 25 crores to Central Pollution Control Board and has been taking steps to recover the compensation amount from polluters by levying challans.
Note: Report made online on May 13, 2020