Bengaluru BWSSB Plans Cutting Over 600 Trees For Sewage Treatment Plants
Bengaluru authorities are facing public scrutiny as the Bangalore Water Supply and Sewerage Board (BWSSB) seeks permission to cut 615 trees to construct two major sewage treatment plants (STPs) in Doddabele and Mallasandra. Each plant, with a capacity of 100 million litres per day, is designed to enhance the city’s wastewater management and reduce pollution in urban water bodies. The proposal has triggered environmental concerns and initiated a public consultation process under the Karnataka Preservation of Trees Act.
The Doddabele site alone accounts for 355 trees, while Mallasandra would see 310 trees affected. BWSSB has formally submitted applications to the Greater Bengaluru Authority’s Tree Officer and Deputy Conservator of Forests, citing the Vrishabhavathi Valley Wastewater Management Project as the driving framework. Officials stress that the two STPs are critical for improving sewage treatment in rapidly urbanising outskirts, where untreated effluents have long impacted rivers and lakes.Public engagement is central to the approval process. The GBA has invited residents to submit objections or suggestions within ten days of the notification. “All feedback from citizens will be reviewed by the Tree Committee before any decision is taken,” a senior GBA official said, emphasising that legal procedures under the 1976 Karnataka Preservation of Trees Act are being strictly followed.
Environmental advocates and local residents, however, have expressed concerns over the cumulative impact of such large-scale tree felling. Experts argue that alternatives like redesigning project layouts, reducing tree removal, or implementing tree transplantation should be considered to minimise ecological damage. “Urban infrastructure cannot ignore sustainability,” an urban planning consultant commented. “Maintaining green cover while upgrading wastewater systems is essential for air quality, biodiversity, and community wellbeing.”The BWSSB maintains that the projects are indispensable for the city’s long-term sewage management strategy. Each 100 MLD STP is intended to treat increasing volumes of wastewater efficiently, preventing untreated sewage from entering natural water bodies. Authorities have highlighted that strict compliance with environmental laws and citizen consultation ensures that the projects balance civic needs with ecological responsibility.
Bengaluru’s situation illustrates the broader challenge of sustainable urban development in India’s growing metropolitan areas. As infrastructure projects expand to meet rising population demands, city planners are increasingly tasked with integrating environmental protection into essential public services. With careful design, transparent processes, and compensatory measures, authorities can deliver critical wastewater infrastructure while preserving the city’s green footprint.
