BBMP takes up survey of underpasses in city after Infosys staffer’s death in car

BENGALURU: Following the death of an Infosys employee in a flooded underpass near KR Circle on Sunday, the Halasuru Gate police have registered a case of unnatural death.

The FIR was registered based on a complaint by the deceased Bhanurekha’s brother Sandeep who alleged official apathy and inadequate measures to prevent the underpass from flooding.

On Monday, the body of Bhanurekha was shifted to Victoria Hospital for post-mortem examination after which it will be handed over to the family members.

The flooded underpass near Le Meredian hotel (top); Waste being cleaned at the Cauvery junction underpass and the Shivananda Circle underpass.

Meanwhile, the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) has taken up a survey of 20 underpasses in the city following the death of Bhanurekha. The survey will try to establish the reasons for flooding of underpasses, whether there is any lack of maintenance, and correction measures. Palike engineer-in chief B S Prahalad is expected to submit the report by Tuesday evening.

Across the city, underpases at Okalipuram, Shivananda Circle, Seshadripuram, K R Circle and other places are flooded. On Sunday, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah had ordered the officials to undertake a study of the drains at underpasses and to clear accumulated silt. He also visited the KR Circle underpass where the car in which Bhanurekha was travelling had got stuck.

Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Deputy CM D K Shivakumar visited the KR Circle underpass after the tragedy occurred.

Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar, who visited the KR Circle underpass on Sunday evening, said an action plan will be prepared for maintenance of underpasses. He also thanked those involved in the rescue efforts at KR Circle, including the media. “We will have to ensure that underpasses do not get flooded. The traffic police should also take preventive steps during rains. People normally don’t use underpasses during rians”, he said. He also directed BBMP chief commissioner Tushar Giri Nath to install CCTV cameras at underpasses. “This will help in case of emergencies”, he added.

Palike chief commisioner Tushar Giri Nath said every underpass has a drainage system. “Recently, we conducted a check on the Yeshwantpur underpass. Wherever underpasses seem to be dangerous, we will close them, create a canopy for rain water diversion, put up speedbreakers and only then we will open it to traffic. Normally, when an underpass gets flooded, the traffic police put up barricades so that motorists don’t enter”, he said.