Saul Kere STP works in Bengaluru expose coordination gaps between civic agencies

Bengaluru: Confusion over approvals for a BWSSB sewage treatment plant (STP) expansion at Saul Kere near Bellandur has exposed a lack of coordination between agencies responsible for works in and around the city’s lakes.

The Bengaluru East City Corporation (BECC) has directed BWSSB to stop ongoing works and produce the required permissions. BECC executive engineer Bhooprada told TOI, “BWSSB said they have applied for permission with KTCDA, but the latter has not sent us anything. We will be issuing a notice to them to undo the works they’ve done already.”

BECC chief engineer M Lokesh said BWSSB requires the corporation’s approval as the lake falls under its jurisdiction. “The project was discussed earlier but BWSSB hasn’t sought permission from the corporation,” he said.

However, a BWSSB official said the project has been approved by the govt and presentations were given to BECC commissioner as well as GBA chief commissioner.

BWSSB additional chief engineer (projects-2) Venugopal KL, added, “We are only upgrading an existing STP. The officials would complete the clearance process from other agencies soon.”

Another BWSSB official working on the project said it was being undertaken for a public purpose. “This is not being done to encroach any land, but for a public cause. Since we are upgrading an existing STP by taking just around half an acre of land, there will be no need for separate approval,” he said, adding much before they took up the work, they had also issued public notification.