Storm water drains can't carry sewage: NGT
NGT directed the state's counsel to come back with a time-bound, stepwise action plan by Monday.
BENGALURU: The National Green Tribunal (NGT) on Friday observed that storm water drains are meant to carry rainwater to lakes and sewage was never meant to be discharged in them. It observed that “either treated or untreated sewage” must not enter Agara, Bellandur and Varthur lakes.
The tribunal observed that rapid development and failure to give underground sewage network to major parts of the city has led to the discharge of sewage into storm water drains, which has polluted lakes in the city.
Pointing to the state’s failure in maintaining lakes, which was promised as per an action plan submitted to the tribunal on September 4, 2017, the NGT directed the state to focus on a time-bound, steady action plan. One of the directions issued by the NGT to the state is to clean up the lakes and in the meanwhile to develop the underground sewage network in the city.
NGT directed the state’s counsel to come back with a time-bound, stepwise action plan by Monday. But the state counsel, Devraj Ashok, submitted that he will require approvals from high-level officials before submitting the timelines and requested for more time. The Tribunal adjourned the hearing to January 18.