Special cell soon at BBMP, BDA to maintain roads, fill up potholes in Bengaluru city: CM

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5,500 potholes

“According to a census by the Bengaluru city corporation, in ward roads there are 5,500 potholes, and in arterial and sub-arterial roads there are 557 potholes. D K Shivakumar, who is in-charge of Bengaluru Development, and I have instructed the Commissioner and the Administrator (BBMP) to fill up all these potholes by the end of this month,” Siddaramaiah said.

While speaking to reporters after the city rounds, he said, “There are some 67 bad reaches in the city, and all of them will be repaired immediately. We have given these instructions to BBMP officers.”

“In order to maintain the roads and fill up the potholes as soon as it occurs, instructions have been given to set up a special cell at the BBMP and BDA,” he said, adding that officials have also been directed to take all measures to ensure that there is no flooding and water does not enter houses in the city during rains.

Stating that monsoon showers will start from June, Siddaramaiah said, the pre-monsoon showers from 1 May to till now have been above normal, because of which there was flooding in some parts and there are reports of water entering houses in some areas.

Amidst the pre-monsoon rains, yesterday, I took to the streets of Bengaluru to personally inspect and address the city’s urgent issues.

From tackling flooding to improving traffic solutions, I’m committed to swift and effective actions.

Together, we are building a better… pic.twitter.com/U26RypqUMh

— Siddaramaiah (@siddaramaiah) May 23, 2024

Clearing stormwater drains

Bangalore city has 860 km of stormwater drains, he said, adding that when he was the CM earlier, 491 km of it were cleared from encroachments and redeveloped. “The previous (BJP) government took steps to clear 193 km in January 2023 and the work is to be completed in January 2025. If this work had been done earlier, there would have been no problem now,” he said.

₹1,800 crore is being spent on this stormwater drain work, and 174 km is left, Siddaramaiah said, adding that the World Bank will grant about ₹2,000 crore for the project.

About 12 cases are in civil court regarding the stormwater drain project, he said, adding, “Lawyers are attending this to vacate the stays and if necessary, a special lawyer will be appointed for the cases to be settled. For about 12.15 km there are cases pending in court.”

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Other issues and repair works

The CM said instructions have been given to officials to expedite the delayed works, to take up dredging, cutting of dead branches of trees and to repair pavements immediately.

Directions have also been given to prevent dumping of waste in the stormwater drains, and to conduct desilting of stormwater drains and drainage pipes before the onset of the monsoon, he added.

Siddaramaiah said that engineers at the city corporation have been warned that they will be made responsible if there are any lapses.

Further noting that Bengaluru has a population of more than one crore, he said, there were 400 lakes in the city and many of them have either been encroached or have silted up now. “So instructions have been given to clear encroachments and desilt these lakes and their catchment areas.”

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