Bengaluru: The National Green Tribunal, South Bench, Chennai, on Wednesday warned the state government that restraining directions will be passed against it if discharge of untreated sewage into the Bellandur Lake is not stopped immediately. The hearing has been adjourned to April 18. Further, Chief Secretary Subhash Chandra Khuntia has been directed to be present before the Tribunal during the next hearing.The tribunal was upset with the way the Karnataka Lake Conservation and Development Authority handled the lake fire.
It has now ordered the Authority and other officials concerned to apprise it about the measures taken after the fire on February 16. The authorities have also been told to give details of measures taken to prevent such accidents in the future. The tribunal also observed that KLCDA it is the only lake development authority in the world which has a lake in fire in its jurisdiction. Mr Rajeev Chandrasekhar, Member, Founder Trustee, Namma Bengaluru Foundation, welcomed the NGT’s observation, saying “I thank the NGT for stepping in and stopping this government’s rampant ongoing destruction of our city. This government has shown not an iota of responsibility for stopping the exploitation of our city. It’s time to hold officials and departments accountable.”Mr Sridhar Pabbisetty, CEO, Namma Bengaluru Foundation, said, “Like always, it is the courts that should step in and ensure justice and accountability.”
