The Hindu : Karnataka / Bangalore News : `Retaining wall of drain in Gandhinagar not repaired'

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Wednesday, Jun 08, 2005

Karnataka

Karnataka - Bangalore

`Retaining wall of drain in Gandhinagar not repaired'

Staff Reporter

BMP has not started work even after the death of two boys, says BJP

BANGALORE: In September last year, the Bangalore Mahanagara Palike (BMP) released Rs. 8 lakhs for desilting and strengthening the retaining wall of the major storm water drain from Link Road to Sirur Park Road in the Gandhinagar Assembly constituency.

The drain is in front of the offices of the BMP Deputy Commissioner (West), the Chief Engineer (South) and the Executive Engineer (Gandhinagar) in Gandhinagar.

The existing retaining wall of the drain collapsed in May and the drain is clogged because of silt. This causes flooding even when there is light rain. Recently, two boys were washed away in the drain flowing along the Vrishabhavathi Valley in Ramchandrapuram. But the BMP has not started construction of the retaining wall or desilting the drain, members of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) said on Tuesday.

The BJP city unit spokesperson, S. Prakash, who took presspersons to the site, said it is unfortunate that the drain, which is in front of BMP offices, has not been repaired though funds have been released. "If this is the situation in front of their offices, how can we expect them to take up works all over the city," he asked.

`Flooding common'

Mr. Prakash said overflowing drains and flooding in low-lying areas are common in Bashyamnagar, Ramchandrapuram, Sevashram and Gandhinagar every year. "Though the BMP has been releasing Rs. 1.38 lakh annually for the last three years, we have seen three deaths in rain-related accidents in these areas. Where has the money gone and who is responsible for the flood damage? All this should be probed," he said.

Mr. Prakash said the BMP has been paying Rs. 50,000 to the Bangalore Water Supply and Sewerage Board (BWSSB) every year for "re-drilling of public borewells and repair of public taps" in Gandhinagar. "But we wonder which taps are being repaired and which borewells are being re-drilled. The BWSSB has been disconnecting public taps in areas where people have individual water connections. This is sheer callousness on the part of the officials," he said.

Probe sought

Demanding a probe into the alleged irregularities and disciplinary action against the officials responsible, he said the BJP will file a complaint with the Lokayukta, N. Venkatachala.

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