Connect lakes, prevent construction near Rajakaluves: DCM’s solution for flooding

NT Correspondent Bengaluru: Connecting key lakes, having zero constructions in a 50 feet radius of Storm Water Drains (SWD) and clearance of dangerous and unauthorized buildings were the key points emerging at an emergency ‘Disaster Management’ meeting chaired by Deputy Chief Minister and Bengaluru Development Minister D K Shivakumar here on Thursday. The week has seen Bengaluru deal with a six-storey under-construction building collapse in Babusapalya which left eight labourers dead with the city bearing the brunt of heavy rainfall, cloudbursts and flooded homes.

The Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) has come under severe criticism for not taking timely action against the owner of the collapsed building, who is currently under arrest. “We are also looking to amend laws that would give more power to the authorities to clear illegal buildings and encroachments of Rajakaluves. I have also instructed them to fix sluice gates near the lake outlets to ensure smooth flow of water. The Bangalore Development Authority (BDA), BBMP and Lake Development Authority have been instructed to do the groundwork,” Shivakumar stated. Bengaluru, which was home to more than 1000 lakes, is now left with less than 80. “I have instructed officials to prepare a plan to connect lakes in the city to facilitate flow of water during rains. This would help fill up tanks which have less catchment area and also help recharge ground water in Bengaluru,” he said adding that private land on the connecting route would be acquired under a Transfer of Development Rights (TDR) scheme.

The building survey, which Shivakumar mentioned on the day of the building collapse, will commence from Monday and will be conducted by both BBMP and private entities. “If any building is being built without necessary authorization, it would be stopped. The survey teams would take photographs and videos of such buildings and the entire process will be monitored through drones,” he said. Land falling under the Bengaluru Metropolitan Region Development Authority will be under the scanner. This also includes land parcels in Ramanagara district.