Saul Kere STP plan sparks debate over lake protection

The proposed Sewage Treatment Plant (STP) at Saul Kere, a 61-acre lake in southeast Bengaluru, has sparked debate among residents. While conservation groups warn the project could reduce the lake’s rainwater absorption capacity, others argue the facility is essential to prevent untreated sewage pollution. The BWSSB began work on the 28-million-litres-per-day (MLD) STP months ago without Karnataka Tank Conservation and Development Authority (KTCDA) approval. Groups opposing the project have sought an independent hydrological assessment and written to the World Bank regarding the infrastructure.