Stop flooding, people are dying

 Death diminishes all and the shocking death of an 86-year-old elder citizen in Rainbow Layout in Mahadevapura in the city, serves to remind us that the poor infrastructure in Bengaluru including a non-functional drainage system can even kill people.

 Shaken into action, the Karnataka government on Thursday said it will take ‘merciless action’ against properties blocking flow of rainwater. The statement came from Bengaluru strongman R Ashok who also warned that in a day or two, the demolition drive will start.

 Construction of drains is set to get top priority with Rs 1,500 crore released for the purpose. This action-if it happens as promised-has not come a day too early in a city where the builder-civic official nexus has ensured a haphazard network of drains and roads which get flooded even in case of light rains. Ideally, Bengaluru with its highs and lows and its height from sea level, should not witness flooding of any serious proportions but that has been happening with uncanny regularity causing untold misery to citizens.

 Houses get knee-deep flood water and it takes hours or even days of hard labour to get things back to normal. As for the roads which are already in a pathetic state, the rainwater slowly chips away at the surfaces making the gaping potholes even bigger and the ride for motorists tortuous to say the least. Are our civic officials a bit too late in reacting to the situation as far as drains are concerned? There are many rajakaluves (giant drains) which have disappeared because of mega constructions by builders across the city and so the rainwater floods low-lying parts instead of flowing into the lakes which dot Bengaluru. No systemic cleaning operating is taken up by the BBMP across the city to clean drains and make sure bottlenecks are removed. Demolition of illegal structures is none too easy as there are always legal hurdles to overcome and political pressure is sure to come into play to prevent such cleansing operations.

What is urgently needed is a detailed study of the city’s drainage system to identify lacunae and make sure they are rectified at least before the next monsoon strikes. Ad hoc measures like cleaning up drains just because an area has just witnessed a sudden flood will not suffice-maybe if the civic body finds it too much of a task to clear the extensive drain network in the city, it can rope in NGOs which would be more than willing to lend a helping hand to make sure we do not have a ‘rain mess’ every now and then. Even corporates would be more than willing to shell out a bit from their CSR funds to make sure the drains in their locality are hindrance-free. And if there are spots where demolition of structures is the only option, it will have to be done for the sake of Bengalureans who have had enough of flooded roads and pothole deaths.

Interestingly, the minister’s statement has come at the far end of the monsoon which is expected to last for a couple of weeks before receding. Public memory is short no doubt but people are not going to forget the mayhem the current year’s monsoon wrought starting from the unseasonal rains in May, so fast. The ruling BJP has already faced enough flak over its non-performance as far as city issues are concerned and an effective and complete drainage system is one gift the party can give the city before the Assembly polls are due next year.