After the record rainfall and its fury in Bengaluru, Bellandur lake at the IT corridor back in news again. This time, the lake froths toxic and hazardous plumes of foams which covered roads and cars making it impossible to commute on the roads adjacent to the lake. The foams spilled from the lake has created roadblocks on Thursday creating a major break down of traffic system on this stretch of the city.
The experts blame concoction of sewage and industrial discharge into the lake which caused the froth which is dangerous to the health of the general public. The unbelievable amount of froth made vehicles stuck in toxic foam spilled by Bellandur lake at Yemalur Bridge in Bengaluru. The lake one of the oldest in the State is now a dead lake and became a mute witness to the onslaught of urbanisation.
Experts have been cautioning Bruhut Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike(BBMP) the corporation against the toxic foams which is carcinogenic and causes breathing difficulties, irritation on the skin, besides spreading an unbearable stench. According to a study conducted by Indian Institute of Science this lake has been polluted because of untreated sewage it flows every day. The rapid urbanisation has become the death knell for more than 600 lakes and water bodies around Bengaluru leaving the city unbearable.
The National Green Tribunal has come down heavily on BBMP for the present status of the lake. However Chief Minister Siddaramaiah assured that the problem will be solved in one or two years. The toxic spillage from the Bellandur lake became even worse after Tuesday’s downpour, which saw the highest rainfall for the month of August in over a decade. Siddaramaiah said “It is there, it will be solved within 1 or 2 years. The Government is taking all necessary actions.”
Meanwhile the NGT blamed Karnataka Government for its failure to address the pollution in Bellandur lake in Bengaluru, on Thursday it summoned the State Government’s top officials to explain the what action the Government took on directions issued by it earlier, on August 22.
The NGT Principal bench headed by Justice Swatanter Kumar directed that the Additional Chief Secretary to Department of Urban Development and Chief Executive Officer of the lake Development Authority should be present in the court and submit a compliance report on its earlier direction issued on April 19 on protecting the water body.
Bellandur lake, which is one of the largest of the 262 lakes in Bengaluru, has spilled toxic foam many times in the recent past. Taking cognizance of it, the National Green Tribunal took the matter suo motu. Earlier in April, it had directed immediate and complete shutdown of 76 polluting industries around the lake. The directive came after a mound of garbage was set on fire in February causing massive pollution in the area.