Just a short spell of rain is enough to bring the city to its knees. On Saturday, Upalokayukta Subhash B. Adi, accompanied by officials from various civic agencies, inspected six vulnerable spots just to find out why.
The team visited Lakshman Rao Nagar slum, Shantinagar bus depot, Okalipuram, Gali Anjaneya temple, Nayandahalli Junction and Russell Market.
Mr. Adi spoke to citizens who complained about rainwater flooding their homes and overflowing drains. He lambasted civic authorities for failing to prevent encroachment of drains, prevent sewage from flowing out and clear silt from the drains.
ADVERTISEMENT
At Lakshaman Rao Nagar slum, he expressed shock at the unhygienic conditions. He directed officials of the Karnataka Slum Development Board to take corrective steps and plan housing for the urban poor.
He directed Engineer-in-Chief of Bangalore Water Supply and Sewerage Board T. Venkatraju to ensure that sewage was not let into storm-water drains in the city.
Later, BBMP’s Chief Engineer (storm-water drains) Ananthaswamy presented to Lokayukta Y. Bhaskar Rao a master plan to remodel drains. Mr. Rao said he would look into it and fix a deadline for its implementation.
ADVERTISEMENT
‘Right to quality life’
The Constitution guaranteed all citizens a right to quality life, the Lokayukta said. “The inspection has revealed the ground reality. The common man has many grouses as the civic agencies have not been able to guarantee them their constitutional rights,” he added.