National Green Tribunal
Yelahanka Puttenahalli Lake And Bird ... vs State Of Karnataka on 24 April, 2025
Item No.10:
BEFORE THE NATIONAL GREEN TRIBUNAL
SOUTHERN ZONE, CHENNAI
[Through Physical Hearing (Hybrid Option)]
Original Application No. 191 of 2024(SZ) &
I.A. Nos. 71 & 164 of 2024(SZ)
IN THE MATTER OF:
Yelahanka Puttenahalli Lake and Bird
Conservation Trust (Regd.)
...Applicant(s)
Versus
State of Karnataka and Ors.
...Respondent(s)
Date of hearing: 24.04.2025.
CORAM:
HON'BLE Smt. JUSTICE PUSHPA SATHYANARAYANA, JUDICIAL MEMBER
HON'BLE Dr. SATYAGOPAL KORLAPATI, EXPERT MEMBER
For Applicant(s): Mr. Abdul Azeem Kalebudde.
For Respondent(s): Mr. K.M. Darpan along with
Mr. Rajat Jonathan Shaw for R1, R3, R4, R6 to R8.
Mr. T.V. Sekar for R2.
Ms. Sindhu represented
Mr. A. Mahesh Chowdaryfor R5.
M/s. G. Krishnakumar, N.M. Pruthviraj,
P.J. Keerthika & I.Vedhagirinath for R10
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ORDER
1. Pursuant to our earlier order dated 05.03.2025, the Committee under the Chairman of the Bangalore Water Supply and Sewerage Board (BWSSB) was constituted and the report dated 22.04.2025 is filed.
2. The Committee seems to have addressed the issues relating to:-
(i) Why the rainwater entry to the lake from the stormwater drain is stopped?
(ii) The huge pit available within the colony of 9th Respondent being used as a collection of sewage and taken through the resort and connecting the main sewage line can also be used to collect the upstream sewage.
(iii) The 10th Respondent is already having an existing STP and there is no necessity for BWSSB and BBMP to lay the line on the side of the Puttenahalli Lake.
(iv) Measures for arresting the entry of sewage into the Yelahanka Puttenahalli Lake.
3. The Chairman of the Committee, after deliberations, has stated that:
3.1 The Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) would do the installation of 1600mm diameter RCC pipelines for a length of 600 meters to carry the rainwater mixed with the sewage of un-sewered areas like village panchayat, missed out Page 2 of 4 110 villages areas during low intensity rainfall (the learned counsel for the BBMP has to explain whether it is to carry the rainwater and the sewage separately or both mixed, as stated in the minutes). The timeline sought for is 45 days in this regard.
3.2 Similarly, the BWSSB also to lay the 700mm dia RCC trunk sewer for a distance of 600meters along the Puttenahalli Lake bund walkway, parallel to the BBMP 1600mm dia RCC diversion line, to carry the sewage from Ananthapura Village sewer network by natural gradient for further treatment. For the above project also, 45 days' time is sought for.
3.3 The Karnataka State Pollution Control Board was directed to issue notices and impose penalties immediately on all the properties discharging untreated sewage into the SWD.
3.4 The Deputy Commissioner - Bengaluru Urban was also directed to instruct the Executive officers of the Panchayat to take immediate action to arrest the entry of sewage from the Panchayat limits.
3.5 The Bangalore Development Authority (BDA) was directed to prioritize the sewage network and STP work in the Puttenahlli catchment area.
4. Though the Minutes of the Meeting have been furnished, the plan of action is not mentioned. It would be appropriate for them to furnish a sketch indicating the separate jobs yet to be carried out or executed by the BBMP and BWSSB.Page 3 of 4
While furnishing the above particulars, let the officials also furnish the survey numbers and classification of the land and ensure that the above-said structures do not spill onto the buffer zone of the lakes.
5. Even the 45 days, as mentioned in the Committee's report, may not be sufficient for them to complete the execution of the work. However, due to the onset of the monsoon, it is for the authorities to take appropriate action to prevent sewage from mixing with stormwater drains, which would enter into the lakes.
6. However, the authorities are directed to endeavour to complete as much as possible before the onset of the monsoon.
7. The Chief Engineer of BWSSB is directed to appear preferably in person or atleast through Video Conference, on the next date of hearing.
8. Post the matter on 02.05.2025.
Sd/-
Smt. Justice Pushpa Sathyanarayana, JM Sd/-
Dr. Satyagopal Korlapati, EM O.A. No.191/2024(SZ) & I.A. Nos.71& 164/2024(SZ) 24th April, 2025. AD.
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