80 houses will be razed to widen drains

80 houses will be razed to widen drains
Action Being Taken To Prevent Areas From Flooding

The Times of India


Bangalore: Eighty houses will be demolished in Kathriguppe, Ring Road, in order to widen the storm water drain from the existing eight metres to 24.

This step is part of the Rs 450-crore remodelling storm water drain work, undertaken for all the storm water drains which lead to either of the four valleys — Hebbal, Vrishbhavathi, Challaghatta and Koramangala. The remodelling work comprises desilting, widening and deepening of the drains and reconstructing the damaged walls.

The cost for the Kathriguppe remodelling work is Rs 4,582 lakh. While the main drain is 5 km long, the second drain is 11.40 km. It passes through Thyagaraj Nagar, N R Colony, Banshankari 3rd Stage, Padmanabha Nagar and ends at Mysore Road. “The remodelling work will start immediately and is scheduled to be completed in 18 months. We have already given notices to all the 80 houses. While some residents are willing to move out, some are resisting. Those who try to resist will undergo legal actions from us,’’ said BMP executive engineer, B S Prasad.

Similar actions have been taken throughout the city to prevent flooding this monsoon. Of the various reasons which cause flooding, development of land in tank area and development of land below high flood level, have been identified as the prime reasons.

But how will they stop people from dumping garbage in to open storm water drains, which may later lead to blocking of the passage? “We will constitute a emergency squad of eight people working 24/7 in the storm water drain areas, to check this,” added the officer.

Foundation stone:

Bangalore Urban minister R Ashok laid the foundation stone in Vrishabhavathi valley, Kathriguppe, for the fifth package of remodelling storm water drain on Monday.

ACTION PLAN

* Kathriguppe drain is being widened to prevent choking
* Construction and demolition work will go together
* Those who try to resist will face legal action
* Emergency squad of eight people working 24/7 in the storm water drain areas