Bengaluru: Toxic lake froth propels citizens to rise against civic authorities

 Residents of areas around Bengaluru's Varthur and Bellandur lakes have complained of foul smell and pollution emanating from these frothing water bodies post-Cyclone Vardah.

A local group has written to the civic authorities, saying the matter requires immediate attention, especially as the city is expecting a dry summer. "There is nothing new but now pollution has increased as the lake smells bad, which is going to be harmful and something should be done," a resident said. "The lake stinks and causes diseases. Civic authorities are yet to take any action, but a few students are seen trying to clean the lakes sometimes," a local resident said.

The toxic froth is caused by allowing untreated sewage water to flow into the lakes. It has spilled over onto roads and into drains around the lakes in the last two days.This has also led to poor visibility on roads, and motorists risk skidding while riding. The Bangalore Water Supply and Sewage Board had sent a tanker to sprinkle water and bring down the froth's intensity.

A local group, 'Whitefield Rising', has written to the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP), the Karnataka State Pollution Control Board (KSPCB) and the Karnataka Lake Conservation and Development Authority (KLCDA) to take cognizance of the issue. "This matter needs more attention, especially since we are looking at a dry summer," a member of Whitefield Rising said. "Wasting a resource as precious as water and dealing with health and safety issues alongside is not good."

The lake must also be desilted and cleared of weeds like hyacinth to allow sun light to penetrate. The BBMP and BWSSB efforts to check frothing by spraying chemicals have failed.

Municipal authorities need to install a sewerage treatment plant at Varthur Lake. The water body is supposed to be desilted every year, but the last time this was done was in 1970.