BENGALURU: Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar on Tuesday 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 the 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 the 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.
The Deputy Chief Minister paid visits to many parts of the City today to inspect areas that are prone to floods during monsoon. He visited the Ramanashree Gardenia layout in Yelahanka and met the residents.
“There was no stormwater 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 stormwater drains and complete the drainage works,” the residents appealed.
Responding to the residents, the DCM said, “The stormwater drain could not be completed as the Forest department had not given permission. The BBMP officials had a meeting this morning and have obtained the necessary permissions. Separate drains will be built for rainwater and sewage soon.”
“Sewage water will not flow into any of the lakes in Bengaluru from now on. Only rainwater or treated water will be allowed into the lakes. This will ensure that the groundwater 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’s 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.”
