Experts: BBMP must take urgent measures... NOW!

Sowmya Raju | NT

Bengaluru: The Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike has been criticised for failing to prevent flooding in the city during the recent rains. The BBMP has been accused of not doing enough to clear clogged drains and not having a proper drainage system.

Activist Ulhas Anand blames the BBMP for failing to provide a solution to the citizens for the monsoon and for not cleaning storm-water drains that is the primary cause of flooding in the city. While citizens and activists criticise the BBMP, an official from the BBMP said the civic body's staff is working around the clock to make the city safe during monsoons.

He said, “We are taking all necessary precautions such as cleaning storm-water drains, silt removal, drainage cleaning and so on.” Ulhas Anand said that the BBMP needs to take urgent steps to address the city's flooding problem, “or it will continue to cause misery for the people of Bengaluru”. Raghavendra B Pachhapur from ActionAid Association said that the BBMP has been sleeping over the job for the past several years.

“Frustrated” over being turned away by the BBMP officials several times, Pachhapur said, “The BBMP is neglecting its duty and is least concerned about the city and its citizens.” He stresses that maintaining lakes and storm-water drains, which primarily cause flooding and waterlogging during monsoon, is not a one-time thing. He said that storm-water drains should be cleaned regularly.

Last year's monsoon was a nightmare, particularly for those residing in slums and low-lying areas. In Bakshi Garden, located in the Chalavadipalya Ward, rainwater mixed with sewage flooded houses, causing immense hardship for the residents. They were forced to flee their homes and seek refuge in shops and bus stops with their families.

Jhansi, a resident of Chelavadi Palya, has been facing the recurring problem with water flooding into her house even after a brief spell of rain. She expressed her anguish at the situation and highlighted that the sewage pipes have become old and rusted. Despite complaints by residents, the authorities have only provided temporary solutions by unclogging the drains. Jhansi firmly demanded a permanent solution to address this “longstanding issue”.