Bengaluru: Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar today said that he has instructed officials to issue notices to private developers who have not provided basic infrastructure in their layouts.
Speaking to reporters after inspecting ‘Raja kaluve’ at Rachenahalli lake in North Bengaluru, he said, “One of the key reasons for flooding is lack of provision for rain water flow in private layouts. It is the mistake of developers and people are suffering because of it. I will instruct officials to issue notices to those private developers who have complied with the regulations.”
Asked if Brand Bengaluru initiative will resolve problems faced by Bengaluru city, he said, “It isn’t enough if we get to hear about the problem and hence, I have come here to see the problem myself. We will identify areas which are prone to flooding every year and we will fix it in phases.”
Replying to a query on encroachment of raja kaluve, he said, “We will take action wherever private layouts have encroached upon raja kaluve. We will also issue strict instructions to those who haven’t complied with STP regulations.”
Asked about Sky deck construction in Bengaluru, he said, “The thought process is to provide a good tourist spot for the city. Officials have submitted a detailed project report and preparations are on for the tender process. Availability of land, parking and other aspects will be factored in before starting the work.” Replying to a question on BBMP elections, he said that the government was keen to conduct elections but the process was delayed as the case was in the court.
Pre-monsoon inspections by DCM
The Deputy Chief Minister paid visits to many parts of the City today to inspect areas which are prone to floods during monsoon. He visited Ramanashree Gardenia layout in Yelahanka and met the residents.
“There was no storm water drain in the area two years ago. The BBMP started it but hasn’t completed it and hence rain waters have flooded many houses. BBMP needs to separate sewage and storm water drains and complete the drainage works,” the residents appealed.
Responding to the residents, the DCM said, “The storm water drain could not be completed as the Forest department had not given permission. The BBMP officials had a meeting this morning and have obtained necessary permissions. Separate drains will be built for rain water and sewage soon.”
“Sewage water will not be flow into any of the lakes in Bengaluru from now on. Only rain water or treated water will be allowed into the lakes. This will ensure that the ground water is charged and borewells don’t dry up,” he said.
The DCM inspected the raja kaluve which passes through the Jawaharlal Nehru Centre for Advanced Scientific Research (JNCASR). Briefing the DCM, the officials said the retaining wall construction would be completed within a month.
The DCM also visited raja kaluve works near Geddalahalli. The residents appealed to the DCM to create a permanent solution for the flooding issues in the area. Responding to the residents, the DCM said, “A solution would be provided very soon.”
