Archive · 13 Sep 2026
Probe Ordered After Irregularities Found at Bengaluru Environmental Lab
A government minister inspected a private environmental testing laboratory in Bengaluru.
Officials said they found several possible rule violations.
The laboratory had approval based on having three analysts, but only one was present.
The other two reportedly had not worked there for five months.
Its pollution-control consent had expired in 2025.
Officials also said laboratory waste was being sent into an open pit.
They found that some testing charges were much lower than Central Pollution Control Board rates.
They also reported differences between noise measurements and the final report.
The minister ordered an investigation and asked officials to inspect other laboratories in Karnataka.
Karnataka Forest Minister Ramalinga Reddy ordered a comprehensive probe into Bengaluru Analytics and Research Laboratory Private Limited.
Officials said the laboratory operated without valid pollution-control consent after its Consent for Establishment expired in 2025.
Only one of three analysts listed in the laboratory’s Ministry approval was present during the surprise inspection.
Officials alleged that laboratory waste was discharged into an open pit and that testing charges were far below Central Pollution Control Board rates.
The Karnataka State Pollution Control Board was directed to investigate about 50 similar laboratories across Karnataka.
- Who
- Karnataka Forest Minister Ramalinga Reddy, Karnataka State Pollution Control Board officials, and Bengaluru Analytics and Research Laboratory Private Limited.
- What
- A comprehensive probe was ordered after officials reported multiple irregularities at a private environmental laboratory.
- When
- The inspection and probe order were reported on Saturday, September 12; officials said the laboratory’s consent expired in 2025.
- Where
- Bengaluru, Karnataka.
- Why
- Officials reported missing analysts, expired pollution-control consent, alleged improper waste disposal, unusually low testing charges, and discrepancies in noise data.
- Laboratory
- Bengaluru Analytics and Research Laboratory Private Limited
- Inspection
- A surprise inspection was conducted by Ramalinga Reddy with Karnataka State Pollution Control Board officials
- Analysts listed in Ministry approval
- Three
- Analysts present
- One
- Consent status
- The laboratory’s Consent for Establishment had expired in 2025
- Reported waste practice
- Officials said laboratory waste was discharged into an open pit
- Similar laboratories
- About 50 units in Karnataka collect and analyse water, air, and noise samples
