CM Siddaramaiah goes around Bengaluru to inspect rain damage

BENGALURU: Following the incessant rain over the last few days, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, accompanied by Deputy CM D K Shivakumar, Transport Minister Ramalinga Reddy and Urban Development and Town Planning Minister Byrathi Suresh went around the city to inspect the damage and chalk out possible solutions.

The CM and his entourage went around in a BMTC Volvo bus. The commissioners of the BBMP, BWSSB, BDA, health department also accompanied them. The first stop was near Gali Anjaneya temple where they inspected work on desilting of the rajakaluve which is prone to flooding during monsoon.

The CM warned the BBMP chief engineer that he would face suspension if a permanent solution was not found. Palike Chief Commissioner Tushar Giri Nath suggested construction of a secondary canal at a cost of Rs 11.5 crore to control the flooding to which the CM said the work be taken up immediately and steps be taken to prevent people from dumping waste into the rajakaluve.

The CM also inspected silt removal at the rajakaluve near Nayandahalli junction, at Ragigudda in JP Nagar, Anugraha Layout and Silk Board junction. However, the visit to Agara Lake, Yamalur Lake and Bellandur Lake was cancelled. At Nayandahalli, where the width of the rajakaluve has shrunk due to flyover work, the CM directed the BBMP chief commissioner to get Rs 7 crore funds released from the Finance and Revenue departments and to take up work.

There was a traffic jam near Gali Anjaneya temple, Satellite Bus Stand up to Sirsi Circle during the CM’s visit to Nayandahalli.

The CM also directed the authorities to remove dried trees before any mishap occurs. He also inspected the damaged footpath near Padmanabhanagar flyover and directed that debris should be cleared. At Silk Board junction, CM and his cabinet colleagues reviewed the progress of the Namma Metro work.

At the BTM Layout Metro station, the CM inspected the double decker flyover and Metro line and directed that such design be incorporated at other places too. He also directed that an underpass be constructed at Raghavendra Swami temple Circle at Jayanagar 5th Block, connecting BTM Layout and Banashankari Layout. Siddaramaiah directed Tushar Giri Nath to place before the next high-level committee meeting a Rs 4.5 crore proposal to widen the rainwater drain at Silk Board-Hosur Road.