Ramp planned over Bellandur Lake

Bengaluru: There’s some good news for the residents of Whitefield and surrounding areas, who have been complaining of mounting froth in Bellandur Lake. In his first review meeting with BWSSB officials on Friday, Bengaluru Development Minister K.J. George set a one-month deadline for the officials to address the issue.

The officials suggested that a ramp could be constructed over the lake to stop foam from entering roads and affecting the movement of motorists. Mr George gave a month’s deadline to construct the ramp. BWSSB officials said that a cost estimate will be sent to the minister.

“Two inlet points which carried sewage and industrial effluents to the lake have been closed. There are four more such points and we are making efforts to gradually stop sewage entering the lake from these points too. The minister is determined to put an end to the Bellandur Lake froth menace,” an official said.

Apart from froth, K.J. George also set December 1 as deadline for the BWSSB to bring down water loss in the city.

At present, of the 1,450 MLD water pumped into the city, the unaccounted for water (UFW) loss is at 50 per cent. The BWSSB has taken up a Rs 650-crore project to bring down water loss to 15 per cent. Mr George, however, said that before December 1, the loss should be brought down to 30 per cent across the city. “I will inspect places where the BWSSB has taken up UFW project and I will hold a review meeting soon after,” he told the officials.

He also highlighted the need to strictly adopt rain water harvesting (RWH) in the city and cited the example of Chennai, which has successfully adopted it. “The response and action taken to implement RWH is poor in the city. Emphasis has to be given to RWH and increase awareness among people. I will help you to achieve this,” he added.