The National Green Tribunal (NGT) on May 2, 2025 permitted authorities to construct a sewer line along a 600-metre stretch of the Yelahanka Puttenahalli Lake Bird Conservation Reserve.
During the hearing, a bench comprising Justice Pushpa Sathyanarayana and expert member Satyagopal Korlapati, keeping in view the urgency of the matter and the need to prevent sewage from entering the Puttenahalli Bird Conservation Reserve and Lake during the forthcoming monsoon, stated: “The order passed by the tribunal, which stayed the construction of the sewer line in the 600 meter stretch, is modified and the authorities are permitted to construct the sewer line.”
The Bangalore Water Supply and Sewerage Board (BWSSB) must also ensure that the proposed network of sewer lines in the adjoining residential areas is completed so that sewage does not enter the Rajakaluve. The stay on laying hume pipes within the Rajakaluve remains in force.
However, the court clarified, “The availability of alternate land will be examined in the main application and therefore, the BWSSB cannot claim equity for the canal proposed in the impugned stretch.”
Pursuant to the Tribunal’s order dated April 24, 2025, the BWSSB informed the court that, based on the decision of a Committee chaired by its Chairman, it has been proposed to collect sewage generated upstream through a network of underground lines located outside the Rajakaluve, from Athur Lake to the point where it drains into Puttenahalli Lake. In stretches where a walkway has already been constructed, the sewer line will be laid beneath the walkway.
Instead of traditional manholes, the sewer line will be fitted with ‘machine holes’ designed to prevent any sewage spillage, even if the system becomes submerged. It was also explained that in this particular stretch, the natural gradient and the presence of privately developed buildings along the edge of the walkway necessitate positioning the 600-metre sewer line directly beneath the existing walkway, which lies on land classified as a ‘tank’.
In response to the tribunal’s query about the feasibility of constructing a collection tank and pumping sewage via a line laid outside the proposed area, the BWSSB submitted that no land was available for such an alignment. The current route, which passes through a survey number classified as ‘tank’ but where a walkway had long been established, was chosen out of necessity.
The authorities requested immediate permission to commence work by modifying the stay order, emphasising the importance of completing the sewer line before the monsoon to prevent sewage from entering Puttenahalli Lake.
The counsel for the applicant, the Yelahanka Puttenahalli Lake and Bird Conservation Trust, was asked to propose an alternative route. However, the route they suggested would bisect the lake. The applicant fairly conceded that no other feasible option exists apart from this disruptive alignment.
To prevent sewage from entering Puttenahalli Lake, it is necessary to lay a 700 millimetre reinforced cement concrete (RCC) sewer line for approximately 600 metres along the lake bund walkway. This pipeline will convey sewage to the forthcoming Sewage Treatment Plant (STP) at Yelahanka. Again, machine holes will replace manholes to ensure no leakage, even in submerged conditions.
These details were included in a report submitted by the BWSSB on May 1, 2025, in compliance with the NGT’s earlier directive dated April 24, 2025.
The proposed BWSSB pipeline is located in Puttenahalli village, Bangalore North Taluk. The area is classified as a “tank”. However, the report noted: “Physically, the lake does not extend to the location where the pipeline is being laid.”
An application had been filed with the NGT by the Yelahanka Puttenahalli Lake and Bird Conservation Trust, seeking a halt to the construction of the underground sewer line beneath the walkway. The applicant argued that the project would adversely affect the lake area and also cited the absence of a detailed project report (DPR) or technical plan.
The southern bench of the NGT, on May 1, 2025, directed the District Collector of Kozhikode to inspect Ulliyeri village to determine whether illegal laterite stone mining is taking place. If any violations are found, the relevant authority must take appropriate legal action and submit an action-taken report to the Tribunal by July 4, 2025.
The applicant alleged that laterite stone mining operations were being carried out by Ashraf K in the Palloramala Hills, affecting over 80.94 acres (32.75 hectares) of land in Ulliyeri village. Despite protests and several representations, it was claimed that no action had been taken by the authorities.
According to the applicant, the miner lacks both environmental clearance and consent from the Pollution Control Board to carry out the alleged illegal activity. Furthermore, the area under excavation falls within zones classified as having moderate to high landslide hazard.