A comprehensive plan to control sewage flow into Vrishabhavati valley to be drawn up

A file photo of debris and silt being removed from the Vrishabhavathi at Kimco junction.

The city administration will shortly draw up a comprehensive action plan to control sewage flow in the Vrishabhavati river valley. The Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP), the Bangalore Water Supply and Sewerage Board (BWSSB), and the Karnataka State Pollution Control Board (KSPCB) will jointly carry out this exercise.

Chief Civic Commissioner Tushar Giri Nath, who chaired a multi-agency review meeting on the subject on Saturday, highlighted the growing pollution caused by untreated sewage entering the valley and instructed officials of these agencies to formulate an integrated action plan.

He emphasised the need to identify all points where sewage enters the valley and compile a comprehensive list. He also called for a detailed inspection of apartments along the banks of the valley to verify whether sewage is being directly discharged and whether sewage treatment plants (STPs) in these complexes are functioning effectively.

The BWSSB was instructed to provide an update on the number of operational STPs, plans for constructing new STPs, and to ensure that all sewage flowing into the valley is redirected to these facilities via pipelines.

Action against encroachments

With 42 lakes being linked through the Vrishabhavati valley, Mr. Nath urged officials to identify and clear encroachments in the region. He suggested conducting land surveys with the assistance of revenue officials and taking strict action to reclaim encroached areas.

To prevent waste from being dumped into the valley, precautionary measures like installing fences were suggested.

He also ordered the deployment of earthmovers for removing silt to ensure smooth flow of water in the valley. 

The Vrishabhavati valley spans 28.08 km within BBMP limits. The BBMP has also taken up beautification of the entire valley on the lines of the K-100 project. The V-100 stretch covers 14.04 km from Sankey Tank to Bangalore University, while the V-200 stretch extends 14.04 km from Goraguntepalya (Peenya Metro Station) to Bangalore University.