Bengaluru: UK, Israeli experts to save Bellandur lake

Bengaluru: Will the infamous Bellandur Lake finally get the much needed makeover? If the legal hurdles are sorted out, British and Israeli experts will revive the lake by building 200 MLD sewage treatment plant (STP).

The project will be funded on 85:15 ratio, where UK government will sanction a loan for the 85 per cent funding, while state government will invest the rest. The exact amount was not specified. According to the plan, Bellandur Lake will be rejuvenated in a matter of just six months and the water will be supplied to nearby industries for non-potable needs.

On Friday, experts from a British firm Bluewater Bio and Israeli firm Tahal Group along with representatives from Karnataka State Industrial and Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited (KSIIDC) visited Bellandur lake, following which there was a presentation on how it will be rejuvenated. However, the presentation did not delve into any technical details on how the lake will be rejuvenated. The State will have to repay the loan amount six months after the rejuvenation of the lake, at an interest rate of 2.36 per cent.

BBMP, lake officials absent
When media persons questioned KSIIDC Chairman C.M. Dhananjaya on why his organization was taking the lead in lake revival work, when the nodal agency for lake conservation was Karnataka Lake Conservation and Development Authority, he said, "We have written a letter to state government requesting them to entrust the task of Bellandur lake revival to KSIIDC. We are interested in the project as lot of industries can benefit from the supply of non-potable water."

Even representatives from BBMP, BWSSB and KLCDA were not present. For this Dhananjaya replied that meeting notices were sent to all.

When DC sought the opinion of Minister for Large and Medium Scale Industries R.V. Deshpande he maintained that "I was invited to witness the presentation. As the project involves foreign agency and bringing investments in the form of loan from UK, it has to come through union government."

At present we do not have any proposals. Once we get any, according to Karnataka Transparency in Public Procurement (KTPP) Act we need to invite tenders and all due procedures should be followed, Deshpande quipped.

 Residents sceptical
Residents of Bellandur area feel sceptical about the Friday’s visit by British and Israeli experts and their assurance to revive the water body.

Nagesh, a resident of Bellandur, wondered why the expert committee, headed by Additional Chief Secretary (ACS), was not part of the delegation that visited the Bellandur Lake. He pointed out that an action plan has already been drawn and stakeholders have been identified, but none of the stakeholders were present during Friday’s visit.

Moreover he pointed out that the KSIIDC was not part of the committee, which was constituted earlier. It appears that this department sensed some opportunity and jumped in to make some quick bucks, Nagesh alleged.

If the KSIIDC was so interested in rejuvenation of water bodies, it should have taken the initiative in reviving the Vrishabhavathi valley, by solving the effluent problem caused due to industries in the vicinity. Even at Peenya industrial area, not a single effluent treatment plant has been set up, he rued.

“We don’t see any solution coming from the delegations visiting and announcing fancy projects. Stakeholders must be involved in setting up Sewerage Treatment Plants and also ensure that they are fully functional,” Nagesh said.The condition of communities around Bellandur is bad as the lake spews froth every alternative day.