Bengaluru: Bellandur lake, a 900-acres water source in Bengaluru South which hit the headlines mainly because of its polluted water catching fire, has become a headache for the state government. Bengaluru Development Minister K J George once again questioned whether there were hidden hands behind the fire in the lake as every time the National Green Tribunal (NGT) hearing nears, a fire breaks out.
After his visit to the lake for inspection on February 6, George said that there is a need to review whether the fire break out was natural or man made. Though there is a 0.01 percent Methane content in the lake water, it didn’t cause the fire. Dry grass in the lake has caused the fire, he said.
The government has installed a sluice gate to control the inflow and outflow of the water. An aerator is also being installed to increase the Oxygen-level. The Lake Supervision Committee should observe the works being done by the government.
“The unauthorised industries around the lake should be closed and an alternative place will be provided to them. Sewage Treatment Plants (STP) are being constructed to treat the sewage water flowing into the lake. It would start working by 2020”, he said.
However, local residents claimed that George didn’t hear their complaints. The officers didn’t allow them to meet him. No one gave any hint of his visit, they said.