Yelahanka lakes review by Upa Lokayukta

True to his promise, the Upa Lokayukta Justice SB Majage visited Yelahanka’s Allalasandra Lake and Puttenahalli Lake on 30th March 2014. As reported earlier, a follow-up of his February inspection was due in the first week of April, but he made it before time.

Local groups have been earnestly following up with LDA / Forest Department and BWSSB to resolve the problems faced by the two lakes:  
– water quality degradation due to continuous inflow of sewage, through storm water drains, broken sewage chambers and a dysfunctional STP
– foul smell
– mosquito nuisance
– contamination of water in neighbourhood wells and borewells.

While Yelahanka Puttenahalli Lake and Bird Conservation Trust (YPLBCT) and Vinayaka Residents Welfare Association (VRWA) are working for Puttenahalli Lake, Yelahanka United Environment Association (YUVA) is working for Allalasandra Lake and also helping with Puttenahalli Lake. 

At Allalasandra, office bearers of YUVA Dr SP Tayappa, Mr Chandru, Mr Narayan and other members, escorted the Upa Lokayukta around the lake. BWSSB officials including Chief Engineer Mr T Venkatraju, Additional Engineer Mr SP Rudramurthy, Yelahanka Sub-divisional engineers and LDA CEO Mr Shivanna were also present and they were shown the various sewage entry points. At the last inspection BWSSB had set itself dates in February to stop the sewage at the two lakes, but it did not meet these deadlines.

Upa Lokayukta Justice SP Majage (in brown coat) during his inspection of two lakes in Yelahanka (March 30, 2014) 

After discussions between the Upa Lokyukta, residents, BWSSB and LDA, the following action points were listed: 

Allalasandra Lake

– BWSSB would call for tenders for the sewage pipe line works after the Lok Sabha elections on 17th April 2014.
– Works to stop sewage entering the lake from the broken sewage chambers would be complete by 30th May 2014.
– A mini STP plant would be commissioned within a year (confirmed by BWSSB Chief Engineer).
– The horticulture department would complete the ongoing development works at the lake within the next two months. 

Puttenahalli Lake

– The Detailed Project Report (DPR) would be completed within 2 months (confirmed by LDA CEO).
– Sewage stoppage works would be taken up by BWSSB after the DPR is ready.
– The revival of the non-functioning STP would be started by BWSSB shortly, which would provide treated water to the lake.

With YUVA, YPLBCT and VRWA keeping the pressure on, it is hoped that by the time the next review happens (in a couple of months), some of the action points will have seen reasonable progress towards completion.

Information received from: Mr Jagadeesh Giri (from YUVA) and Commander CR Babu (from YPLBCT)   
Pics: Mr Jagadeesh Giri (from YUVA)

 

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Similar Story

Opinion: Why climate action must recognise and include India’s informal workers

As COP29 discusses ways to mitigate the climate crisis, India must address the adversities faced by informal workers and chalk out plans.

The ongoing COP29 conference in Baku, is a pivotal moment in climate action, focusing on global cooperation to limit warming to 1.5°C. Key priorities include mobilising financial resources for developing countries to submit ambitious climate plans (NDCs) by 2025 and continuing support through the Fund for Loss and Damage (FRLD) established at COP28. COP29 also aims to strengthen adaptation efforts by setting finance-backed targets for the Global Goal on Adaptation.  While COP29 primarily focuses on international climate initiatives, India must address pressing domestic issues. One key group often overlooked is informal workers in Indian cities. Over 80% of India’s urban…

Similar Story

Status check: Key concerns remain as Chennai moves ahead with WTE plans

Greater Chennai Corporation's tender for the Waste-To-Energy plant is at the final stage; Here is what we know about the bidders

17,422 metric tonnes per day — that's the staggering amount of trash the Greater Chennai Corporation (GCC) will generate in 30 years. Currently, Chennai produces 6,143 metric tonnes of waste daily, which adds to the growing piles in Kodungaiyur and Perungudi dump yards. Like many other major cities, GCC is struggling to find a sustainable solution for waste management and has proposed a Waste-To-Energy (WTE) plant. However, the experiences of cities like Delhi are testimony to the significant environmental and health impacts of WTE plants. A recent The New York Times investigative report on the Delhi WTE reveals: "The government…