Karnataka: Bellandur- Non-toxic units can reopen

Bengaluru: While the Karnataka State Pollution Control Board (KSPCB) had issued public notice to 488 industries located in Bellandur valley to immediately shut their operations, it has now been decided to reopen some of them after an inspection.

In the board meeting chaired by Karnataka State Pollution Control Board  chairman Lakshman here on Saturday, it was decided that the industries will be reopened after a joint inspection by officials from Central Pollution Control Board and KSPCB.

Lakshman later told Deccan Chronicle, "No matter whether the 488 industries on Bellandur valley are treating their effluents are not, all have to shut their operations with immediate effect. All those industries which do not adhere to this will be sealed and if need police support will be taken."They will be allowed to function only after the joint team individually visits the unit.

Explaining what the joint team intends to do, Lakshman said "They will individually inspect all the 488 units. The team will collect the sample of the effluent and check them if they are within permissible limits. If it is then the joint team will provide a green signal for reopening the unit. If not a closure will be inevitable." For the inspection purpose 30 KSPCB officials working for different divisions have been deployed.

Who should  do what?
KSPCB: To shut down all industries on Bellandur valley, which are polluting the lake
BBMP: To prevent illegal dumping of waste into the lake and its buffer zone, by fencing it and by installing CCTV cameras
BDA:  Which is the custodian of the lake to ensure that the buffer zone (30 metres according to RMP 2015) around the lake is maintained and prevent any construction activity in the zone.
BWSSB: Out of 450 MLD of sewage entering Bellandur Lake, only 200 MLD is treated. BWSSB should chalk out plans to prevent 250 MLD of raw sewage entering the lake.

Bosch shuts Bengaluru plant
Auto component major Bosch has temporarily ceased operations at its plant at Adugodi, Bengaluru on Saturday after getting notice from the Karnataka State Pollution Control Board (KSPCB). The company has taken the decision to close the plant after the KSPCB directed closure of all industrial units within the catchment area of Bellandur lake in Bengaluru.

"Pursuant to the above notice, the company hereby informs the temporary closure of its facilities at Adugodi, Bengaluru with effect from today," Bosch Ltd said in a regulatory filing. The approximate loss of turnover per day is Rs 393 lakh per day, in case supplies to the customers are affected, it said. The company is reviewing directions of KPSCB and will consider all options for suitable relief in order to re- commerce the operations at the earliest, it added.

The company will also ensure that deliveries to the customers are not impacted," Bosch said. The affected companies would be able to reopen their plants once the KSPCB inspects the facilities."The company has always upheld highest standards with respect to environment protection and is confident that it has been operating within the prescribed environmental norms at all its facilities," Bosch added.