BENGALURU: Assembly Speaker and chairman of the House Committee on Conservation of Lakes, K B Koliwad, said it was shameful to have to use boats in Bengaluru and took BBMP and BDA officials to task for the recent flooding in the city.
Speaking to officials on Thursday before an inspection of lakes, Koliwad said heavy rainfall was not the only reason for flooding in the city. “When Chennai witnessed flooding eight months ago, we had warned BBMP, BDA and other officials to take necessary action. But they did not take our words seriously,” he said.
Koliwad also said they had asked officials to keep drains open, but they were closed. “Where should the water go?” he questioned.
On the details of encroachment of storm water drains furnished by BBMP, Koliwad said. “You (BBMP) said that of the 1,923 encroachments identified, 822 were removed. I am sure the encroachments that were removed were sheds that poor people had constructed. You have left out big builders,” he said.
“Give me complete details in the next meeting on August 11,” he said.
Request for special court
Koliwad said he will meet the Advocate General to discuss the court cases related to clearance of lake encroachments. “I will meet the High Court Chief Justice to request him to have a special court to dispose of cases related to lake and drain encroachments,” he said.
A day at the lakes
DEO Layout, Kodichikkanahalli lake:
Koliwad directed Forest officials to cooperate with BBMP to desilt the lake and reduce the height of the bund.
Sarakki lake:
Sewage from Sarakki lake will be pumped out to Agara Lake where water will be treated. Bommanahalli MLA Satish Reddy said there was a proposal for 5 MLD (million litres per day) sewage treatment plant which needs to be enhanced to 10 MLD.
Anugraha Layout, Kodichikkanahalli:
- When Transport Minister Ramalinga Reddy said 700 families were affected by the flooding and urged for compensation to them, Koliwad said he would consider the request.
Bellandur Lake:BBMP authorities said they are ascertaining the extent of encroachment at the lake and that a report will be submitted to the CM and the committee. They urged committee members to propose a concrete drain from Belandur to Yamlur that will allow water to flow towards Hosur.