Can't handle it BWSSB? Let army clean our lakes

When the state government promised to revive the 800—acre Bellandur Lake, residents thought it would be a dream come true. Today nothing has changed. A mesh and a couple of sprinklers have appeared around the lake and despite the December 31 deadline to curb froth menace, the lake still reeks of sewage.

Three decades after Bellandur Lake started dying a slow death, the state government has woken up to the need of reviving the lake. After chief minister Siddaramaiah’s visit to the lake last year, many things changed on paper, though there has been no big difference in the lives of people living in the proximity of the lake. With Bengaluru minister K.J George paying a visit to the lake recently, new hopes have risen among citizens and activists who are relentlessly fighting to save the lake. Following several consultations with experts, activists and environmentalists, the state government is pumping Rs 100 crore to rejuvenate the city’s largest lake. Keeping up some of its promises, the BWSSB has implemented some short-term solutions like mesh and sprinklers. We take a look at the progress of the short and long term solutions adopted by the BWSSB and BBMP.     
 
Mesh construction around the lake
Among many immediate measures adopted by the BDA to curb the froth menace, construction of mesh around the lake was completed last week. Explaining how the mesh works, an official said, “Ball-sized froth flew on bikers’ faces and even entered homes through balconies. Now, the mesh around the lake area (near the bridge) has reduced the froth menace significantly.”  However, locals have said that though froth no longer flies on the faces of people, there seems to be no major change in reducing the contamination of the lake. “Since there have been no rains in the last few weeks, we haven’t got a chance to certify if froth will rise over the mesh during rains or not. As of now, there has been a difference in the quantum of froth generated in the lake,” says Jagannath, a resident of Bellandur.    
 
Sprinklers
The BWSSB, in association with BBMP, has installed around 10 sprinklers across the Bellandur Lake. According to a BWSSB official, the sprinklers have not been effective in reducing the stench emanating from the lake, but have reduced the frothy lumps flying on the road. “The sprinklers help in dousing the lumps and when there is repeated spray of water, the froth is diffused and it just flows like water. The sprinklers maybe a temporary solution but have played a major role in containing the froth menace in the last few weeks,” the official added. The sprinklers function all through the day and are constantly monitored by BWSSB and BBMP officials. “Yes, it does not stink like before, but it does not mean that there is no stench emanating from the lake at all,” says Sanchita Jha, who is actively working for the rejuvenation of the lake.  

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Ramp to divert the flow of sewage
At a cost of Rs 3 crore, the BWSSB has proposed to construct a ramp to avoid the turbulence in the lake, which causes the foam. “The ramp will reduce the speed at which the sewage and other affluents enter the lake. There is a slope in the lake which further enables the turbulence. The ramp will be built across the full width of the slope,” explains a BWSSB engineer. The official said that the proposal was approved by the state government and the ramp would be constructed within four months. “The tender for the ramp will be awarded within a month, following which the ramp will be constructed by May end.
 
Construction of new STPs
Overflow of sewage through treatment valleys has plagued the city lakes on many occasions. Though the present capacity of treatment plants in K&C Valley is around 300 MLD, more than 600 MLD of sewage is entering the plant. In order to increase the treating capacity of sewage, the BWSSB has proposed construction of 2 additional STPs - Amanikere (Bellandur) and K&C Valley. While these plants will be operational by August, the BWSSB has also proposed to set up a plant in Bellandur (150 MLD treating capacity). This apart, Two Intermediate Sewage Pumping Stations (ISPS) are under construction in Sarakki and Agaram. The BWSSB has also proposed to construct sewage treatment plants at source areas in Begur, Hulimavu, Sarakki and Agaram (total treating capacity 205 MLD). “Most of the sewage entering the Bellandur Lake and further flowing to Varthur Lake will be arrested if the four proposed plants at source points become functional. It will take about four years for these plants to become fully operational,” adds a BWSSB official.

Cut pollution at source

The state government may be propagating that the solution to the lake contamination lies in the construction of STPs, but the underlying question is why is the government was not hauling up apartment complexes and industries, which are directly releasing sewage into the lake? Over 600 MLD of sewage is entering the lake everyday and is directly consuming industrial effluent. The KSPCB should play a key role in penalising industries and even order shutting down of industries that release effluents directly into the lake.

Residents condemn BWSSB ‘mesh move’

“By the end of February, there will be no stench or foam in the lake, we are told. But how will that be possible? We have no clue,” said Sanchitha Jha, who’s aggressively campaigning for the revival of Bellandur Lake. Bengaluru Minister K.J. George has assured the residents that the lake will be revived soon. However, the BWSSB officials seem tight-lipped about their plans, she revealed. “Every time we have held meetings with the Minister and officials, they promise the lake will be free of contamination in the next five years, but don’t tell us how. Does the BWSSB even have a plan? We are not sure,” she said. Meanwhile, the ambitious mesh project to contain stench and foam emanating from the lake has drawn flak from activists, who feel it does not serve any purpose. “What is the BDA or the BWSSB trying to achieve with this mesh? There was very little success in Yemaluru Lake when a similar project was taken up. Will this mesh help at all in the monsoon?” asked another activist.