Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) Chief Commissioner Tushar Girinath has stated that the city is fully prepared to handle the upcoming monsoon season. In a coordination committee meeting with zonal commissioners, Girinath reviewed the preparations for the monsoon, including desilting drains and other civil works to minimize the impact of flooding.
To improve response time during rain-related emergencies, a Whatsapp group has been created, involving the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), Bengaluru Water Supply and Sewerage Board (BWSSB), Bengaluru Electricity Supply Company (BESCOM), BBMP, and other departments. This group will ensure swift action and coordination in case of flooding or other rain-related emergencies.
Addressing concerns over drinking water in 110 villages that were merged into BBMP after delimitation, the commissioner announced that a contingency plan will be in place. The Palike will dig borewells in the outer areas of BBMP’s jurisdiction to cater to the water needs of these villages. In Bengaluru South alone, there is a demand for 50 borewells.
The Palike has received requests for approximately 100 borewells, with each borewell costing Rs 8 lakhs. To address this, there is a proposal to allocate Rs 10 crores for sinking borewells in the newly merged villages.
Regarding the Karnataka Rural Infrastructure Development Limited (KRIDL) scam in BBMP works, IAS officer Ujwal Kumar Ghosh has been appointed to conduct an investigation and submit a report on the matter.
In terms of pending bills to contractors, the BBMP Chief Commissioner assured that stormwater drain works worth up to Rs 100 crores, taken up under the Government of Karnataka grant, were cleared in February. The remaining bills, amounting to Rs 300 crores between May 2021 and June 2021, will be settled shortly, based on seniority.
With these measures in place, BBMP aims to ensure the smooth functioning of the city during the monsoon season and address the concerns of the newly merged villages. The prompt response system and preparations for potential flooding demonstrate the Palike’s commitment to mitigating the impact of heavy rains.
