BWSSB plans to upgrade 20 STPs for biological nutrient removal from lakes
The Hindu
Modified sewage treatment plants will reduce presence of phosphorous and nitrates in water bodies
Several lakes in Bengaluru such as Hulimavu and Puttenahalli lakes near J.P. Nagar, Subramanyapura lake in Uttarahalli and Arakere on Bannerghatta Road are under threat on account of overgrowth of water hyacinth. Bangalore Water Supply and Sewerage Board (BWSSB) has proposed to upgrade the existing 20 sewage treatment plants (STP) to include modifications required for removal of biological nutrients that spur their growth. According to experts, one of the reasons for the overgrowth is the presence of phosphorus, potassium, and nitrates, known as biological nutrients, in abundance. This is attributed to the flow of sewage into the water bodies that not only compromises water quality, but also promotes the growth of microphytes and macrophytes such as algae and water hyacinth.
In , the grape capital of India and host of the Simhastha Kumbh Mela every 12 years, environmental concerns over a plan to cut 1,800 trees for the proposed Sadhugram project in the historic Tapovan area have sharpened political fault lines ahead of local body elections. The issue has pitted both Sena factions against the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), which leads the ruling Mahayuti alliance in Maharashtra. While Eknath Shinde, Deputy Chief Minister and Shiv Sena chief, and Uddhav Thackeray, chief of the Shiv Sena (UBT), remain political rivals, their parties have found rare common ground in Tapovan, where authorities propose clearing trees across 34 acres to build Sadhugram and a MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences and Exhibitions) hub, as part of a ₹300-crore infrastructure push linked to the pilgrimage.












