Install STP at Kaggadasapura Lake, Karnataka Deputy CM Parameshwara tells officials

BENGALURU: Deputy Chief Minister G Parameshwara, who is also the Bengaluru Development Minister, promised to take steps to install Sewage Treatment Plant (STP) at Kaggadasapura Lake following an inspection here on Monday. Speaking to reporters after holding a meeting with BBMP officials following a spot inspection of the Kaggadasapura and Bellandur lakes, he said the government will give priority to save the lakes from pollution and also encrochments.

At Kaggadasapura Lake, residents updated the Deputy CM regarding sewage inflow into the lake and alleged efforts to encroach it. Anand Vasudevan, a member of the forum ‘Save Kagagdasapura Lake’, said Bangalore Central MP PC Mohan had suggested setting up a 5 MLD STP. Vasudevan said during the time when the lake was transferred on paper to BBMP from Bangalore Development Authority (BDA) in February, 2016, until March 2018, when BBMP actually took ownership, there was no custodian of the lake.

At this time, residents around the lake saw the construction of a wide pathway and other works, and got them stopped. “Our demands to the Deputy CM are to stop sewage entering the lake, desilt it and reduce the width of the pathway, which is now 40 ft,” Vasudevan said. Post the inspections, the minister lamented that most lakes in the city had vanished due to encroachment and constructions blocking the natural flow of storm-water during monsoon. He emphasised the need to check indiscriminate flow of sewage and industrial effluents into the lakes.

He said officials had been directed to identify a suitable place for installing an STP at Kaggadasapurua lake and also to ensure that similar STPs were installed in other major lakes. The treated water should be put to effective use, he said.

IMMEDIATE STEPS TO PAY POURAKARMIKAS

Addressing the issue of non-payment of wages to pourakarmikas, the Deputy Chief Minister said  he has directed BBMP authorities to take immediate steps to release the payments due to contractors towards garbage disposal and clearing the wage arrears of pourakarmikas.