BBMP to take action against Rainbow Drive Layout residents

NT Correspondent

Bengaluru: Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike has received instructions to take action against residents of Rainbow Drive Layout under the Disaster Management Act for their non-cooperation in the completion of drain work. In an effort to protect the layout residents from flooding during monsoons, the Palike has been constructing a parallel drain along Rainbow Drive.

However, due to court cases, the work inside the layout has come to a halt, causing concerns for the residents who experienced severe flooding and property damage during the last monsoon season.

Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar, accompanied by BBMP officials, conducted an inspection on Thursday to evaluate the progress of the rajakaluve work in the city. During the meeting, residents of Rainbow Drive Layout were urged to cooperate with the Palike officials.

Failure to comply with these instructions has prompted the storm-water drain division to be directed to take strict action under the Disaster Management Act. Currently, Bengaluru has a total of 85,990 km of rajakaluve running through the BBMP limits. As of 2022- 2023, 491 km of rajakaluve work has been completed, while 195 km was completed the previous year.

However, there are still 173 km of rajakaluve work pending. The city has witnessed a significant increase in rainfall, with a 70 per cent rise compared to the previous year. As of May 2023, Bengaluru has received 340 mm of rain, and in 2022, the rainfall reached 1,496 mm, signifying a 48.57 per cent increase from the year before. Efforts are being made by the BBMP to address challenges posed by the monsoon season and ensure the safety and well-being of residents in the area.