Proposals many, but action less

Proposals many, but action less
The Times of India

Bangalore: Bangalore is no longer known by its infotechbiotech (IT/BT) industries. It is now more famous for the awful state of its drains. That they are inadequate, stink, overflow and are generally in terrible shape, is something there is consensus on. What escapes concurrence is a practical remedy to the problem.

Experts have proposed several solutions, but only a few have ever been seriously studied by the administration. And fewer still have been considered for implementation. The few projects that are under serious consideration are long-term projects that will take at least two years or more to implement, (without taking into account the time taken to call tenders, do surveys and ultimately, prepare project reports).

Till then, all that the city corporation can do every year is strengthen support walls, widen drains and of course, some desilting here and there.

Desilting won’t do: Citizens everywhere are unanimous that desilting is being done in “name only.’’ A resident of Sanjaynagar pointed out that all the removed silt is usually left right next to the cleaned drain. “When it rains next, all the silt flows right back in.’’

Research Fellow (Environment and Management) at Indian Institute of Management, Bangalore, S.T. Somashekar Reddy, dismissed desilting entirely. According to him, ‘percolation points’ identified along the main storm water drain (SWD) network will help. “Some hydrologist or engineer can help identify these ‘points.’ They, in turn, can reduce the load on the SWD network and help recharge the groundwater,’’ he said. But Reddy’s idea remains just that: a proposal.

One proposal under consideration is Bangalore Water Supply and Sewerage Board (BWSSB)’s Rs 100-150 crore project to divert sewage from the storm water drains (SWDs). Right now, a review of the SWD network is on. This will take three months. Then tenders will be called for — another six-eight months. Only then will actual work start. And that could take anywhere from two to three years, if done strictly according to schedule.

Unplanned growth: The problem with the city’s drains, one expert pointed out, has been a result of the city’s booming growth in the past 10-15 years. “City planners never expected this kind of growth,’’ a former BWSSB chief engineer M.N. Thippeswamy admitted.

According to him, the sewage diversion plan can make a big difference. “It can reduce groundwater pollution and most importantly, the SWDs will be free from sewage,’’ he said.

The city’s growth has led to greater encroachment of the SWDs themselves. And this, Thippeswamy for one stressed “is something Bangalore City Corporation has been unable to prevent.’’

If something is not done about the encroachment soon, he said ominously, “it will be too late.’’

Rein in builders
“People never think twice before throwing waste into storm water drains,’’ said our commissioner K. Jothiramalingam, blaming citizens for clogged drains. Little waste can hardly cause major blocks.

I would like to remind our commissioner that as per the KMC Act (1976), there are 31 obligatory duties of BCC, one of which is maintenance and cleaning of drains. Drains ought to be desilted at least two months before the onset of monsoon every year. But BCC does not believe in the ‘A Stitch in Time’ theory. The drains on B.P. Wadia Road have not been desilted for years.

The main culprits for clogged drains are builders, who, through the year dump building materials on footpaths and in drains, blocking them off completely. They do not care to clear them after construction is completed. These builders should be held responsible for blocked drains.
S.R. Venkataram
Basavanagudi