Ahead of monsoon, CM announces spl cell for drain desilting

Bengaluru, NT Bureau: Facing flak for not doing enough to set right Bengaluru's civic woes, Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and his deputy, DK Shivakumar on Wednesday undertook a round of the city and directed officials to desilt Storm Water Drains (SWDs), lakes, fill potholes and set up a special cell for the purpose.

The cell will deal with issues pertaining to Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) and Bangalore Development Authority (BDA), especially maintenance of roads and filling of potholes.

After a long phase of deficient rainfall in 2023, there have been plentiful summer showers in May, leading to waterlogging and tree fall in some parts of the city. An 'above normal' monsoon is also in the offing, necessitating monsoon preparedness measures.

“To ensure roads are maintained and potholes are filled soon, directions have been given to set up a special cell at BBMP and BDA," Siddaramaiah said. The CM said BBMP officials had been directed to fill more than 6,000 potholes.

“Going by a BBMP census, in ward roads there are some 5,500 potholes, and in arterial and sub-arterial roads there are 557. DK Shivakumar, who is in-charge of Bengaluru Development, and I have directed the BBMP Commissioner (Tushar Girinath) to fill all these potholes by the end of the month,” he said, adding that there are 67 bad stretches that would need attention.

 Shivakumar called upon citizens to report potholes online. “We have set up a new online mechanism where citizens can share photos of potholes with BBMP officials. Traffic police can also report potholes,” he said.

Functional SWDs to prevent flooding Turning his attention to prevention of waterlogging, the CM said Bengaluru has 860 km of storm water drains, adding that when he was the CM earlier (2013 to 2018), 491 km of them were cleared of encroachments.

“The previous (BJP) government took steps to clear 193 km in January 2023 and the work is to be completed in January 2025. If this work had been done earlier, there would have been no problem now,” Siddaramaiah said.

“As much as Rs 1,800 crore is being spent on this SWD work, and 174 km is left. The World Bank will grant about Rs 2,000 crore for this project,” he said.

“Lawyers are attending to this to vacate the stays and if necessary, a special lawyer will be appointed for the (12) cases to be settled. For about 12.15 km, there are cases pending in court,” Siddaramaiah said.

Desilt drains, lakes: Siddu The CM emphasized the importance of desilting SWDs and lakes, besides preventing dumping of waste in drains.

“Instructions have been given to clear encroachments and desilt lakes and catchment areas,” Siddaramaiah said, adding there were some 400 lakes in the city but most of them were in poor shape. 

Shivakumar called upon citizens to report potholes online. “We have set up a new online mechanism where citizens can share photos of potholes with BBMP officials. Traffic police can also report potholes,” he said.

Functional SWDs to prevent flooding

Turning his attention to prevention of waterlogging, the CM said Bengaluru has 860 km of storm water drains, adding that when he was the CM earlier (2013 to 2018), 491 km of them were cleared of encroachments.

“The previous (BJP) government took steps to clear 193 km in January 2023 and the work is to be completed in January 2025. If this work had been done earlier, there would have been no problem now,” Siddaramaiah said.

“As much as Rs 1,800 crore is being spent on this SWD work, and 174 km is left. The World Bank will grant about Rs 2,000 crore for this project,” he said.

“Lawyers are attending to this to vacate the stays and if necessary, a special lawyer will be appointed for the (12) cases to be settled. For about 12.15 km, there are cases pending in court,” Siddaramaiah said.

Desilt drains, lakes: Siddu

The CM emphasized the importance of desilting SWDs and lakes, besides preventing dumping of waste in drains.

“Instructions have been given to clear encroachments and desilt lakes and catchment areas,” Siddaramaiah said, adding there were some 400 lakes in the city but most of them were in poor shape.

Problematic spots detected

The CM agreed that some parts of the city are prone to flooding and officials are being consulted to solve the issues.

Gaali Anjaneya temple area in Byatarayanapura had witnessed waterlogging due to overspill from a nearby SWD and Girinath suggested that a parallel canal which would cost Rs 11.5 crore be constructed to ease the problem.