CII to frame norms for lake revival by companies

BENGALURU: The Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) is working on a lake-rejuvenation and adoption procedure for corporates and industry bodies. This comes a couple of weeks after five private companies showed interest in reviving polluted lakes in the city.

The procedural guidelines are being prepared in consultation with lake experts and the state government. “We are focusing on aspects like sequencing of activities, phase-wise development, action to prevent degradation of water quantity and quality, etc,” Hari Marar, chairman of Water Sustainability Task Force for CII, told ET.

At a recent CII event, five companies came forward to rejuvenate six lakes. While Biocon Foundation expressed interest in redevelop ing Kammasandra and Yarandahalli lakes, Meritor HVS wanted to rejuvenate Kenchenahalli lake. The Electronics City Industries Association, Wipro and Timken India plan to revive Doddathogur lake, Shakthipalya lake and Maragondanahalli lakes, respectively. It is learnt that 25 more companies have also expressed interest. “We hope to enter into an agreement with the five companies after the election code of conduct ends,” said Mruthyunjaya Swamy, secretary, minor irrigation department.


Companies have sponsored lake revival in the past, but without a standard MoU or DPR. Government agencies had included a provision to penalise companies if they miss timelines, something the sponsors and lake activists believed was oppressive. This time, CII is working on creating standardised DPRs and MoUs. “CII is collaborating with stakeholders to create standardised procedures. Integrated water management is a critical aspect, which involves looking at stream of lakes and the entire ecosystem rather than individual lakes and isolated problems within lakes,” Marar, who is also CMD of Bengaluru International Airport, said.

The state and the CII have, however, not arrived at a consensus on maintenance of rejuvenated lakes. “We leave it to individual companies to decide if they wish do the maintenance work as well or stop at rejuvenation,” Swamy said.