Bengaluru: People of Bellandur, Koramangala, HSR Layout and neighbouring areas had a hard time Friday as smoke from the Bellandur lake fire spread to their localities. By evening, the smoke had got denser, leaving many struggling to breathe.
Recounted a techie and a resident of 80 feet road Koramangala, Anirudha Koppal, “I was returning home from work around 6 pm and found smoke and tiny particles of soot everywhere. People were walking around covering their nose and mouth. The air was already polluted by vehicle fumes and this toxic smoke from the lake fire only added to the problem. We really don’t understand
why the civic bodies are not taking any steps to clean the lake.”
People near Forum Mall in Koramangala also found soot falling from the sky and smoke filling their surroundings. “The smoke was spreading and this is a dangerous sign. It is a serious health hazard and steps need to be taken to save the environment,” said a research student, Malthesh.
The smoke subsided only Saturday morning after the fire was doused, said Ms Suma Kalyani, a resident of HSR Layout and a professor in a private college. But even so a few of her friends living in flats around Bellandur lake had to keep their doors and window shut till Saturday evening, she revealed.
“It is toxic smoke and inhaling it could cause serious health problems. The elderly and children find it difficult to breathe in such conditions. In fact, people waiting at the Agara bus stop had to walk away as they were unable to breathe the polluted air. And what about the toll on the environment? If pollutants continue to flow into the lake, its condition is only going to worsen.
This is is not the first time Bellandur lake has been on fire, but there has been no action from the government. This is a wake up call and it needs to act quickly.”
