The Karnataka State Pollution Control Board (KSPCB), in an attempt to make the storm water drain in Koramangala-Challaghatta Valley free from sewage, has identified around 540 buildings that have been letting untreated sewage into the storm water drains.
Not just that, they have advised the Bangalore Water Supply and Sewerage Board (BWSSB) and Bengaluru Electricity Supply Company (Bescom) to disconnect water and electricity to such buildings, said KSPCB Member Secretary Srinivasulu.
While some lake activists have welcomed this decision, some others think this is not the solution.
Sonali Singh, a lake activist from Bellandur, says, “The authorities must inspect the quality of treated water at residential apartment complexes and allow it to be released into the storm water drain if the quality is good. It is difficult to store treated water at the residential apartment complexes. They cannot utilize all the treated water for gardening and other purposes if the quantity of the treated water is more than the required.’’
Welcoming the KSPCB’s initiative to prevent sewage flowing into the lakes through storm water drains, Jagadish Reddy N of Varthur Rising wants the authorities concerned to be vigilant at the time of construction of such buildings and ensure that builders install STP for treating sewage. “There should be a mechanism to monitor the functioning of STPs. The authorities should encourage and support building owners to connect sewage pipes to the nearest underground drainage (UGD) pipeline. Disconnecting electricity and water supply is not a solution,” opines Jagadish Reddy.
Meanwhile, Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) Chief Engineer (Storm Water Drains) BS Prahlad said they are planning a similar survey at Vrishabhavathi Valley to identify the buildings, apartment complexes and industrial units that let sewage and waste into the storm water drains.
Namami Vrishabhavathi Foundation president Niveditha Sunkad said, “We keep raising complaints at the ward level about sewage in storm water drains but officers say it’s the urban development department/BDA which is sanctioning residents to build on SWDs or in the buffer area. Now even if BWSSB has to lay new pipelines, there’s no buffer zone left. It’s quite a messy affair. If residents are being penalised for dumping sewage illegally, then officers responsible should also be held accountable.”
