Order of the National Green Tribunal in the matter of Court on its own Motion Vs State of Karnataka dated 21/10/2019 regarding contamination of water bodies at Bengaluru - Bellandur lake, Agara lake and Varthur lake, interalia, on account of discharge of untreated sewage and other effluents from residential/commercial/industrial buildings in violation of statutory provisions of the Water (Prevention And Control of Pollution) Act, 1974, particularly Section 25 thereof.

The said water bodies have been subjected to severe pollution on account of inefficient management of solid waste as well as discharge of untreated sewage, apart from industrial effluents. The matter has been monitored by the Tribunal in the last five years by way of different orders.

The NGT expressed its unhappiness at the reports furnished by the state. The deficiencies included the following:

• There was no informtion on the status of STPs to be constructed and Bellandur lake area has not been fenced to prevent encroachments.
• The illegal colony in the lake belt has not been shifted and CCTV cameras and watch towers have not been installed.
• De-silting and de-weeding has not been done as directed. Road was illegally constructed within the lake by dumping C&D debris which has not been removed.
• There is also non-compliance with regard to deposit of Rs. 25 Crores by BBMP and furnishing of performance guarantee in the sum of Rs. 100 Crores by the State of Karnataka for which there is no explanation.

The NGT directed that the deficiencies be rectified and compliance ensured in terms of the NGT order of December 6, 2018.

The Additional Chief Secretary (Urban Development), Karnataka, Commissioner, BBMP, Commissioner, BDA, Chairman, BWSSB and the Member Secretary, State PCB has been ordered to remain present before the Tribunal on the next date of hearing with the compliance reports.