Foam on Bellandur lake increases following rain

Following the heavy rain that lashed the city on Saturday, the level of foam on Bellandur lake has increased.

Though Karnataka State Pollution Control Board (KSPCB) is all set to file a case against Bangalore Water Supply and Sewerage Board for not preventing sewage from flowing into the 700.13-acre lake, residents in the neighbourhood complained that their repeated appeals had fallen on deaf ears.

Venkatesh M., a resident of Yamlur, said neither the Bruhat Bangalore Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) nor the BWSSB had heeded to their complaints.

Flows onto road

“Today, the water from the lake, which has blackened due to chemicals and sewage, flowed out on to the roads in Kariammana Agrahara that connects the Outer Ring Road. The rain worsened the problem what with the encroachment of raja kaluves,” he said. Other residents alleged that they had seen several pourakarmikas dumping garbage into the lake. “This has become a routine. The BBMP must take stringent action against such pourakarmikas,” they said.

Siddaramaiah, KSPCB’s regional officer (Bommanahalli division), told

The Hindu on Sunday that despite several notices being served to the BWSSB, no action had been taken by the board. He said hearings had also been held in the past. “But there has been no progress. With the BWSSB not initiating any action, we are facing the brunt from the High Court of Karnataka.” BBMP officials, who spoke to

The Hindu on condition of anonymity, said the civic body had prepared a detailed project report for the lake’s development around five years ago.

“However, the lake was transferred to Bangalore Development Authority. For the past three years, no action has been initiated by either the BWSSB or the BDA,” the official said.

Despite several attempts, no response was forthcoming from BDA and BWSSB officials.