Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah claimed the state government was working on cleaning up the lake.
Bengaluru's frothing and fuming Bellandur lake had a special visitor on Monday: Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah. The chief minister had gone to take stock of the cleaning process that started at the 1000-acre lake last month after an order from the nation's top environmental court.
The National Green Tribunal or NGT has set a month's deadline for the first phase of the rescue mission - cleaning of weeds, that's likely to cost the state around Rs 3.35 crore.
The state, however, said the month given by the green court may not be enough to clean up the lake.
"We have filed a plea asking for an extension," Mr Siddaramaiah said. The Chief Minister said it was necessary to give "primary treatment" to the water of the lake, which will involve setting up of sewage treatment plants. "After treating the water, whatever weeds are there, we have to remove it all. Fresh sewage mustn't enter the lake. So we have to treat the water."
Mr Siddaramaiah claimed the state government was working on cleaning up the lake - which had been making headline for the last 20 years for its froth and occasional flames - for the last eight months.
"We started cleaning much before National Green Tribunal gave orders," the Chief Minister said. "We formed an expert committee, which comprised local people and experts. On their recommendation, we issued a tender and we are doing all the work".
The authorities say they will set up more sewage treatment plants. Besides, work is on to prevent further encroachments around the lake. Security cameras have been installed around the lake to identify anyone polluting the lake. The miscreants will be slapped a fine of five lakhs, the state government has said.
NA Haris, legislator and a member of the lake committee, said, "There is one thousand acres of area. You have to take out all the weed and you have to fence everything. You and me together will know how much time it all needs."