A notice was issued by the authority on March 8 last year, and it was also inspected again on June 11, 2024. However, it was observed that there was non-compliance with the same. (Express photo by Jithendra M)
Bengaluru South district officials seized the Vels Studios and Entertainment Private Limited (Jolly Wood Studios & Adventures), where the reality show Bigg Boss Kannada was being shot, on Tuesday, a day after the Karnataka State Pollution Control Board (KSPCB) ordered its immediate closure due to violations of environmental regulations.
The officials arrived around 5 pm and gave the organisers three hours to vacate the place before they seized the property. The studio has thus been shut down and the contestants have been shifted to the Eagleton resort.
Forest, Ecology and Environment Minister Eshwar Khandre said two notices were issued in 2024, but the property’s owners had failed to follow the norms. “A notice was issued now. The sewage treatment plant management and the waste segregation were not upto the mark. Though generators were used, no permission was sought. Nobody is bigger than law, so the KSPCB has initiated the action,” he added.
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In a notice, the Board directed Vels Studios and Entertainment Private Limited (Jolly Wood Studios & Adventures), which is an amusement park, to halt all activities at the premises with immediate effect. The decision was made on September 16 during the State Level Enforcement Committee (SLEC) meeting following non-compliance with the directions.
Additionally, the deputy commissioner of the Bengaluru South district was instructed to seize the unit, and the managing director of Bangalore Electricity Supply Company Limited (BESCOM) was directed to disconnect the power supply.
In its letter, KSPCB said that the amusement park, which was located in Plot 24 and 26 in Bidadi Hobli, had been operating without prior consent from the Board. The wastewater generated from different areas of the amusement park was being discharged outside the premises without any treatment, and causing pollution to the surrounding environment, said the letter.
While park authorities provided an STP with a capacity of 250 KLD, no sewer or inflow of sewage to the STP was observed, and STP units, which were installed, were empty, according to the letter. It also said that the park authorities disposed of the solid waste, including disposable paper plates, cups, and plastic waste, near the STP area without any segregation.
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A notice was issued by the authority on March 8 last year, and it was also inspected again on June 11, 2024. However, it was observed that there was non-compliance with the same.
The 12th season of Bigg Boss Kannada, broadcast on Colours Kannada in Karnataka, commenced on September 28. Kannada film actor Kiccha Sudeep is hosting this season.
