BMP working on five-point plan to tackle rain-related problems

BMP working on five-point plan to tackle rain-related problems

The Hindu

The civic body is gearing up to ensure that there are no problems this year

# Precautionary steps being taken in 30 areas which are prone to inundation
# Control rooms to be set up in three CMCs
# Temporary rehabilitation centres identified to accommodate affected families
# Sandbags being stocked near storm water drains to prevent water from entering low-lying areas

BANGALORE: The Bangalore Mahanagara Palike (BMP) is gearing up to ensure that there are no rain-related problems this year. The civic body has started work on the five-point contingency plan to restore footpaths, clean shoulder drains, remove silt from major drains and fill potholes.

While 30 areas prone to inundation have been identified and work on initiating precautionary measures had begun, all the three chief engineers have been asked to identify "concerned citizens" and enrol them as "samparka bandhus," who would provide information on the flood situation in their areas.

BMP Commissioner K. Jairaj on Monday directed the zonal officials to get prepared to meet emergency situations arising out of flooding. He directed them to set up control rooms in Rajajeshwarinagar, K.R. Puram and Bommasandra City Municipal Councils (CMC) areas after consulting the Commissioners of the respective CMCs.

According to a press release, temporary rehabilitation centres had been identified to accommodate the affected families. While seven centres had been set up in the east zone with a capacity to accommodate 1,150 persons, six centres had been set up in the South zone with a capacity to accommodate 380 families. Likewise, five centres have been identified in the west zone to provide facilities for 800 people.

During an inspection of work on precautionary measures at Anandnagar in Benniganahalli on Monday, Bharatinagar Executive Engineer K.T. Nagaraj told reporters that work on the contingency plan would be completed by June 15.

In the east zone, footpaths on 211 roads coming under Shantinagar 1st and 2nd division, Bharatinagar, Shivajinagar and Jayamahal would be upgraded. "Al the shoulder drains will be cleaned and silt will be removed from major drains. The silt will be shifted to the dumping yard in B Narayanapura," he said.

Pointing out that the BMP had identified areas such as Indira Gandhi slum near Ejipura, Gandhinagar area near Ambedkar College, Doddananagar, Bhuvaneshwarinagar, Chamundinagar, Stephens' Road, Tank Mohalla in D.J. Halli and surroundings of MEG Grounds, Mr. Nagaraj said that sandbags were being stocked near storm water drains to prevent water from entering the low lying areas.