Surprise inspection by Forest Minister exposes irregularities at Bengaluru pollution testing lab

Forest Minister Ramalinga Reddy conducted an unannounced inspection at the Bengaluru Analytics and Research Laboratory Private Limited (BARL), alongside officials from the Karnataka State Pollution Control Board (KSPCB). BARL, situated near Jakkur, is responsible for testing water, noise, and air pollution samples.

The inspection revealed a significant irregularity: the lab only employed one analyst, whereas three were required by government norms. Two other analysts had not been working for nearly five months. Furthermore, the cost of testing water samples was found to be ₹1,000, while analysis of air pollution samples was recorded at ₹650, far below the actual costs of ₹5,000 and ₹13,000 respectively.

Discrepancies were also observed between the field data collected for measuring noise levels and the data recorded in the final analysis report. The minister stated that the analysis report was suspicious, prompting a comprehensive investigation. He emphasized that the lab had failed to establish a proper system for disposing of lab-generated waste, instead discharging it directly into an open pit.

Reddy warned other laboratories to rectify their practices before the department discovers any violations. The lab had also neglected to renew its operating license, which had lapsed in 2025. The minister ordered a thorough investigation of all remaining laboratories in the coming days. It was also discovered that BARL had not renewed its operating license, which expired in 2025.