Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar on Wednesday announced a slew of flood relief measures in Bengaluru including the removal of culverts along the Rajakaluve storm drain after heavy rains lashed the city.
He also announced a compensation of Rs 5 lakh to the family of two children who drowned in the Kengeri lake. A compensation of R10 000 has been announced for owners of flooded houses. The Minister also said that arrangements will be made for temporary housing and food for those who have been deported.
Bengaluru has experienced unprecedented rainfall in the past week, breaking records in the past three decades. Rainfall ranging from 92mm to 157mm caused severe flooding, affecting many technology parks and IT companies.
“We have instructed the officials to remove the encroachment of Rajakaluve from the entire city without mercy. We have also started demolishing canals so that water can flow properly with a loan of Rs 1,000 crore from the World Bank,” Shivakumar said on Wednesday.
He said that although the private players have filed a lawsuit to prevent the removal of criminals, the government will still do its job, saying that saving the lives of citizens is very important.
“Private people have obtained permission to enter the court to prevent any action against the Rajakaluve encroachment, and they are not allowing the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) to take any action. The state of emergency allows us to remove the criminals. I have directed the officials concerned to ensure that all the criminals in Rajakaluve are removed from outside of delay, in times like these, the main thing for us is to save the lives of citizens, and we will not allow court cases to interfere,” he said.
Shivakumar visited Kendriya Vihar Apartments at Yelahanka, Mariyannapalya, Sri Sai complex at Horamavu accompanied by BBMP officials. He had a discussion with the Apartment Owners Association about the situation. He also held discussions with the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) and the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) personnel involved in flood relief operations in these areas.
Speaking to reporters on this trip, the Deputy Chief Minister said, “Finance Minister Krishna Byregowda is working on the dismantling of pipelines in the city. We have also started dismantling many ponds under different schemes. We will call a meeting soon with the Pond Management Committee”.
The Congress leader also informed that the BBMP has taken control of around 600 flats in the Kendriya Vihar Apartment complex in Yelahanka and that around 95 per cent of the residents have agreed to move out temporarily. However, there are approximately 20 families who are not ready to leave, he said.
“Many elderly people refuse to go out because they are worried about their homes. We will give them temporary accommodation for a week. I urge all the residents to get these temporary houses”, he added.
Asked about the long-term solution for this flat, the Bengaluru Development Minister said, “Yelahanka has received the highest rainfall in the last 115-120 years. No one expected this much rain. We are identifying the areas where the water is coming out. We are here to look for a permanent solution. Bengaluru it has also experienced flooding recently.
In Bengaluru, incessant rain forced the closure of schools for the day on Wednesday. Heavy rain in the city has caused waterlogging in many parts of the city, prompting local authorities to take immediate action.
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