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B’luru rains: Poor infrastructure, official apathy remains

Chandra Prabhu | NT

Bengaluru: As the city begins witnessing showers after a long break, the underpasses and flyovers here still look overwhelmed with water and overflowing drains blocked by silt and garbage.

This exposes the unpreparedness of the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) and other civic agencies for the upcoming monsoon.

Professor M N Srihari, government advisor on traffic, transportation and infrastructure and mobility expert, lashed out at the ‘reactive approach’ of the civic bodies in addressing the long-pertaining issue.

“A lot of underpasses are blocked after short showers. Even after a six month period, the officials are caught napping instead of proactively inspecting and performing their duties,” he said.

Last year on May 21, a 22-year-old woman lost her life after being trapped inside a flooded car at the KR Circle underpass in Bengaluru following which the Disaster Management Department of Karnataka had shared a set of guidelines for motorists who encounter underpasses during rainstorms.

However the guidelines seemed to be largely ignored. The mobility expert also pointed out other concerns that are a common sight in the underpasses.

“Most of the lights are turned off. With the rains in mind, it will become much more difficult to navigate through the said underpasses,” he said.

The professor was also critical of the way in which roads are being whitetopped.

“The joints of two slabs of concrete are not well connected in some roads. Rainwater passing through it will cause cracks,” he added.

A few months ago, the BBMP had planned to whitetop important roads in the city, reportedly for Rs. 750 crores.

“A proactive approach, with the senior engineers leading the charge is the only way Bengaluru can counter water logging issues on roads,” the professor replied when asked for a corrective measure.

Civic activist lambast at officials, despite Chief’s promise of preparedness

BBMP Chief Commissioner Tushar Girinath recently assured citizens that the civic agencies have rolled up their sleeves to ensure water logging issues don’t ensue.

The Citizens on the other side say that they’ve not seen any work being undertaken.

They’ve alleged that the authorities have not worked together in tandem, and when questioned, the officials claimed lack of funds for their inactivity.

VK Srivatsa, General secretary of changemakers of Kanakapura Road, claimed that despite inspections, officials have not been able to work, citing a lack of funds.

“Due to the ongoing Lok Sabha elections, officials claim that the funds earmarked have not reached them.

” Lack of coordination with other authorities has also been noted. “Drains in Metro stations (Vajarahalli and Konanakunte Cross) are non-existent. Both the Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Limited (BMRCL) and the BBMP have not taken up to clean the drains,” he alleged.

Anjali S, a resident from Whitefield, claimed that the Mahadevapura Zone was given around Rs. 60 crore for cleaning the drains.

“But no work was undertaken. The lack of transparency is appalling. This also shows their lack of intent, despite having six months of time,” she stated.