Bengaluru: Around 500 industries are set to be shifted or shut if the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP), the civic body of tech hub, implements the National Green Tribunal (NGT) order to close industries in the vicinity of Bellandur Lake.
“We started issuing notices to around 100 industrial units since last month. These industrial units were not complying with environmental norms,’’ S Shanthappa, Member Secretary, Karnataka State Pollution Control Board (KSPCB) said.
About 365 million litres (MLD) of industrial effluents and domestic sewage flows into Belladur Lake from industrial units and hundreds of residential apartments.
Most of the industrial units that received notices from the KSPCB are engaged in dying, tanning, washing, garments, automobile repair and chemical manufacturing.
“We are yet to receive the compliance report from field officers. We are meeting BBMP, BWSSB and KLCDA officials on Friday to discuss the implementation of NGT order,’’ Shanthappa said.
According to KSPCB officials, there are 500 industrial units in 5 km radius of Bellandur Lake. Among the 500, 97 are identified as water-based industrial units.
Residents and environmentalists have been demanding the state government relocate these industries for quite long time but nothing has been done till date.
“These industries have been functioning for 30 years. I have made some suggestions to the state government on relocation of these industries. It will be better to shift these industries to Peenya Industrial Area where many industrial sheds are lying unoccupied,’’ Dr. A N Yellappa Reddy, an environmentalist.
According to Yellappa Reddy, a committee has been constituted a few months ago to make suggestions on the development of Bellandur Lake.
“The state government is not serious in implementing the committee’s suggestions. One of the suggestions was to stop sewage flowing into the lake but the state government has not taken any measures to implement this suggestion,’’ Dr Yellappa Reddy rues.
As per the NGT order, no industry would be permitted to operate without the consent of the joint inspection team (JIT).
“I am scheduled to attend the meeting with BDA, BWSSB and BBMP officials on Friday. The meeting will discuss the implementation of the NGT order,’’ G. Vidyasagar, Chief Executive Officer, Karnataka Lake Conservation and Development Authority.
Meanwhile, J Crasta, Co-Chairman, Assocham Southern Regional Council, said the government must take all measures to implement the NGT order.
“Job loss or capital loss, the government must give priority to community health. I want all the polluting industries to be shut down. We will not support polluting industries,’’ J Crasta said.
