The Hindu : Karnataka / Bangalore News : Citizens can help BMP prevent flooding

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Saturday, Sep 17, 2005

Karnataka

Karnataka - Bangalore

Citizens can help BMP prevent flooding

Although it is up to the BMP to ensure that drains are not clogged, the citizens have a duty to cooperate with it, feel our readers.

We have a duty too

All kinds of rubbish and debris are thrown carelessly into larger storm water channels. Street drains share the same fate.

In addition to the Bangalore Mahanagara Palike (BMP), citizens have the duty of ensuring that drains do not get clogged.

They should use the system for door-to-door collection of household waste. The civic body, on its part, should clean up all channels well before the rainy season.

Sheila Raj,

Cox Town

Onus on BMP

The BMP is supposed to take up "monsoon preparedness" works at the end of every summer. Though it may blame the unusually heavy rains this year, lack of timely action is to be deplored.

Many roads get flooded because the underground drainage system is outdated and faulty.

Of course, citizens should also cooperate in keeping roadsides drains free for water to flow.

K. Mohan Ram,

Basavanagudi

Start planning

One cannot really ask much of citizens who have to wade through knee-deep water. The problem of flooding is more severe in the CMC (city municipal council) areas around the city.

Whether the CMCs lack adequate funds or are just apathetic is a big question. They should plan ahead, at least for next year's rainy season.

Sudha Nagaraj,

Malleswaram

Remodel drains

Remodelling of the underground and street-side drainage systems should be taken up urgently. The flash floods of this season should serve as a warning to the civic authorities.

The BMP may rightly feel happy there was little flooding within the city compared with the CMCs around it. Even the flooding of roads for an hour or two after a heavy downpour can be prevented.

B. Manjunath,

R.T. Nagar

It is up to us

If entire neighbourhoods keep getting flooded, people may have to resort to boats instead of cars and two-wheelers. Given our topography, there is no reason why flooding cannot be minimised. The BMP and the CMCs should begin a campaign to discourage people from misusing storm water channels as cesspits. We need better civic sense if floods are to be avoided.

Karen Anand,

Austin Town

Encroachment

In some recent incidents, overflow from lakes and tanks added to the misery of residents.

There are legitimate complaints that many water bodies have been encroached upon by unscrupulous developers. Civic authorities have turned a blind eye to violations of rules.

K.V. Mallikarjun,

J.P. Nagar

Cover drains

Public apathy combined with that of civic authorities resulted in the flooding for days together of several neighbourhoods. Debating whether the CMCs fared worse than the city is futile. The civic bodies should think of covering the large storm water channels with strong netting or grills which allow rainwater in and prevent the dumping of garbage and debris.

Latha Venkatesh,

Jayanagar

Next week: Yet another steep increase in petrol and diesel prices has made many Bangaloreans wish the city had an alternative public transport system, reliable as well as fast. Could some of the controversy and delays affecting the metro rail have been avoided? Is it correct for politicians to interfere in the execution of major projects? Readers are invited to send their views to The Hindu , 19 & 21, Bhagwan Mahaveer (Infantry) Road, Bangalore - 560001 or email them to bglreflections@thehindu.co.in.

Cox Town

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