KARNATAKA STATE POLLUTION CONTROL BOARD HAS STARTED ISSUING NOTICES TO THE APARTMENT OWNERS ASSOCIATION IN AND AROUND BELLANDUR AREA.
The KSPCB had earlier carried out a survey and now is handing out notices to apartments if the complex does not have STPs as per the direction of the National Green Tribunal passed on May 18, 2017, asking both the Bengaluru Water Supply and Sewerage Board (BWSSB) and the State Pollution Control Board to check the discharge of effluents from apartment complexes located on lake catchment areas.”
Following this ruling by the NGT, the BWSSB and KSPCB jointly directed all apartment complexes with more than 50 units to install their own sewage treatment plants. However, apartment owners protested this ruling as the direction was retrospective in manner, meaning even the apartment complexes built before the direction would have to get STPs installed.
Notices/Letters are being issued asking the Apartment Owners Association to comply at the earliest. Since the time of the notice being served, a time period has been given and the associations have been asked to build STPs in the stipulated time frame or face heavy penalties.
Many apartment complexes and residents have filed a public interest litigation with the Karnataka High Court and a petition with the NGT.
ACTION:
In case of Non-Compliance, The BWSSB AND KSPCB may take the following course of action.
A huge penalty is to be levied and the apartment complex will lose its water and electricity connection
OPTIONS:
1). No sewage could be discharged in a drain that ends up in lakes
2). The sewage from the apartments may be collect the discharge and transport it in trucks to the nearest STP installed by the BWSSB