CM promises masterplan for storm water drains

By Y. Maheswara Reddy | NT

Bengaluru: Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai has announced a new Master Plan for storm water drains in the city. This is to ensure that rain water is carried to the nearest water body without any hassles, he said.

The CM visited rain-affected areas in North Bengaluru, including Kendriya Vihar, Jawaharlal Nehru Centre for Advanced Scientific Research (where a storm water drain running through its campus overflowed) and Manyata Tech Park. He directed the BBMP Chief Commissioner to take measures to widen the storm water drain between Yelahanka and Jakkur to avoid flooding in future.

“Water from 11 lakes flows into Amani Lake, resulting in the flood. The existing storm water drain is only eight feet. It needs to be widened to around 30 feet if we want to avoid flooding residential areas near Amani lake,” CM Bommai said. “I have directed the BBMP Commissioner to acquire the necessary land to begin the widening work.”

The BBMP will give builders who have constructed on buffer zones of storm water drains and water bodies some time to make arrangements. “The poor people who have their dwellings near storm water drains and water bodies will get alternate sites on humanitarian grounds,” the CM announced.

Afterwards, he went to the campus of the Jawaharlal Nehru Centre for Advanced Scientific Research, where flooding damaged equipment worth crores. A three-day power shutdown destroyed genetic samples related to malaria, HIV and other diseases, some of which date back 25 years. “We have to do everything we can to protect and save JNCASR. We will involve the scientists in preparing the Master Plan for the storm water drains,” he said.

At Manyata Tech Park, which was also flooded, CM Bommai said that the management must set up an undergroun d network inside the premises. “This network must connect with the underground drainage facility outside the park,” he said.

An employee at JNCASR says efforts were being made to drain the water from the laboratory and library. “We expect the campus to be free from waterlogging by tomorrow. The loss is to be estimated,” he said.