The city’s poor infrastructure came to fore following the rains that lashed the city recently. With water stagnating on most roads, motorists had a difficult time negotiating their way. After the two spells of pre-monsoon showers, several city roads are riddled with potholes.
A few days ago, the Chief Minister lambasted the officials of the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) for not taking up measures to mitigate flooding in low lying areas, desilting the drains to ensure smooth flow of water.
ADVERTISEMENT
On Tuesday, he set out to inspect the city’s rain preparedness ahead of the monsoon, accompanied by city development minister K.J. George, city Mayor B.N. Manjunath Reddy, BBMP commissioner Manjunath Prasad and several BBMP councillors.
His first stop was at Kino Theatre underpass, which mostly flooded following rains. Mr. Prasad explained that a pump had been fixed at the spot to drain the rain water to ensure that the underpass doesn’t get flooded.
Mr. Siddaramaiah next inspected the storm water drain at Kanteerava Stadium on Vittal Mallya Hospital Road. Noting that the inlet needed repairs, he directed the BBMP officials to take it up immediately.
At the Madiwala Market Road, the Chief Minister inspected the market and interacted with the vendors. Noticing mounds of uncleared garbage at the market, he questioned the BBMP officials about the same. Most vendors there function out of temporary structures. They urged Mr. Siddaramaiah to build a proper market with shops there. BBMP officials said that the four-km road is being concretised at a cost of Rs.4.41 crore. The work that began around four months ago is likely to be completed over the next 20 days.
Mr. Siddaramaiah also inspected the Juvenile Justice Board at Madiwala. He spent over 15 minutes at the board interacting with the children there.
Upset over the deplorable condition of service road of the Outer Ring Road (stretch between Marathahalli and Silk Board), the Chief Minister suspended Bengaluru Water Supply and Sewerage Board’s chief engineer. The service road was dug up to lay a water pipeline nearly four years ago has still not been restored, as the BWSSB is yet to complete the work.
He planted a sapling at a new park that is being developed at H.S.R. Layout. The park is being developed on government land that was recovered from encroachers. Mr. Siddaramaiah directed officials to drill three borewells in the park.
Later, he visited Iblur Lake, portions of which have been encroached by private land developers. He directed the officials concerned to immediately clear the encroachments and fence the water body. He also inspected Bellandur Road, which gets flooded often. The BWSSB officials said that the drainage pipeline by the side of the road would be re-laid soon.
Mr. Siddaramaiah also inspected the spot where an elevated corridor connecting Tin Factory in K.R. Puram and ITPL has been proposed.
ADVERTISEMENT