Union Minister of State for Environment and Forests Prakash Javadekar on Thursday said his Ministry will issue directions to the Karnataka government and the BBMP not to allow any kind of sewage into lakes and other water bodies in Bengaluru. Mr. Javadekar told presspersons that a team of officials from the Ministry has already visited Bengaluru following reports of fire in lakes.
One more team is expected to visit. The directions, which would be binding on the government and BBMP, would be issued in a fortnight, he said. The Minister said he had visited a few lakes as well as Cubbon Park while he was in Bengaluru during the recent BJP national conclave. He was shocked with the kind of pollution in lakes in the city, which was once known for its water bodies.
First of all, residential complexes should not have been allowed on lake/tank beds.
At least authorities should have ensured that sewage from such complexes were not let into water bodies and instead directed to sewage lines, Mr. Javadekar said. He was hearing about fire in lakes for the first time, the Minister added.
