The day after: Rs. 100 crore for silt removal from Bellandur tank

To address the problem of inundation of low-lying areas in the city during the rain, the State Government has come up with a Rs.100-crore plan tasking the Bangalore Development Authority to remove the silt from the 919-acre Bellandur tank.

Chief Minister B.S. Yeddyurappa, who chaired a high-level meeting here on Saturday, told presspersons that accumulation of silt in the tank was one of the major reasons for the submergence of low-lying areas in parts of the city.

136 hotspots

Traffic was affected in 136 locations in the city owing to the heavy downpour on Friday evening.

Steps are being taken to clear illegal constructions on raja kaluves (storm-water drains) and during the last two years, 355 such properties had been demolished. There are 958 properties encroaching raja kaluves and their demolition has been stalled by court stays.

The Chief Minister said a permanent wall would be built near the Gali Anjaneya temple on Mysore Road to prevent entry of rainwater into the temple. The temple and houses in the area were overwhelmed by filthy water in the downpour. Thirteen districts had received excessive rain during the last two or three days, which claimed six lives and damaged 500 houses. Ashraya houses would be allotted to families who have lost their homes in the rain, Mr. Yeddyurappa said.

Compensation

A sum of Rs. 20 crore would be released to 12 districts, with Gulbarga receiving Rs. 5 crore as compensation and for relief works, he said.

Under the cover of Friday's downpour, gold and silver ornaments were burgled from the historic Anjaneya Swamy temple near the Mysore Bank Circle here around midnight.

The thieves broke open the lock and gained entry, the Upparpet police said, and added that they have already collected fingerprints and other clues for investigation.