Bengaluru: Apartments less than 20 flats exempt from STP, says KJ George
Bengaluru: Bengaluru Development Minister K.J. George said the BWSSB would be given direction not to collect fine from apartments with over 20 flats for non-installation of sewerage treatment plant (STP) till December 31, 2017 as mandated by the State government.
Replying to R. Chowdareddy Tupalli (JDS) in the Legislative Council on Thursday, he said the existing underground drainage system could handle sewerage from individual houses.
In wake of diversion of untreated sewerage into natural water bodies, the National Green Tribunal (NGT) had made it mandatory the installation of STP in apartments with 50 flats or group housing built over 5,000 sq metres; commercial buildings above 2000 sq metres and 10,000 sq metres for educational institutions.
The treated sewerage water could be used for watering lawn, bathroom and car washing. Mr George said for buildings constructed after February 25, 2016, the STPs were mandatory for apartments with 20 flats or group housing on above 2,000 sq metres, non-residential buildings built over 2,000 sq metres and educational institutions constructed on above 5,000 metres.
On collection of fine amount from existing flat owners, the minister said he would issue instructions to the authorities concerned not to harass residents, since they had already paid 30 per cent sewerage cess. The fine amount already collected from flat owners would be returned immediately.
The member said the existing structures had not left space for the installation of STPs on their premises and wanted the government to exempt them. However, Mr George said new variety of plants which would occupy lesser place and had capacity to store 10 lakh litres of sewerage water were available.
V. Somanna (BJP) said it was not right on the part of the government to impose this rule on the existing buildings since penalty had been collected from residents on pro-rata basis.
