CM goes on city tour, promises to end monsoon woes

Bengaluru: A visit to the Kino Talkies underpass near Gandhi Nagar which is infamous for waterlogging, Iblur lake near Ecospace in Marathahalli where encroachment is a concern and a free ride on the newly opened Metro Purple Line. Chief minister Siddaramaiah's city tour nearly after a year on Tuesday to check monsoon preparedness was more or less an uneventful affair.
The CM along with city development minister KJ George, mayor BN Manjunatha Reddy and BBMP commissioner Manjunath Prasad, inspected stormwater drains (SWDs), sewage treatment plants (STPs) and the Metro line. "I had earlier conducted a meeting with BBMP and BWSSB officials to understand how prepared we are for the monsoon. Every year, we get umpteen complaints about waterlogging, ineffective stormwater drains, overflowing sewage pipes etc. We want to prepare much in advance," the CM said.
His convoy took stock of the ongoing project at Kino Talkies underpass wherein a motor will be fixed in the SWD, which, when turned on, will pump out excess water which logs at the base. A sum of Rs 1.5 crore has been spent for this. The road near Kanteerava stadium too faces the same problem due to lack of distance between the gratings of the shoulder drain leading to the SWD. The gratings will be replaced in a few days, said Manjunath Prasad. "We are identifying many more such cases and replacing the existing ver tical gratings with horizontal ones which can take in more water at a time, eradicating the possibility of waterlogging." he added.
The CM said around 9 acres of the 18-acre Iblur lake have been encroached upon. "There are 837 lakes in Bengaluru, spread over 4,235 acres. However, 1,232 acres have already been encroached. We are in the process of identifying these lakes and issuing notices to encroachers," said Siddaramaiah.
Free ride for 150 members
The team ended the tour with a Metro ride from Byappanahalli to Vidhana Soudha station. The entire trip was provided free of cost for his convoy, which included over 150 members.
"The last time I went on a city tour was long ago. I could not find time due to elections and the state budget. I will make an effort to visit city areas once a month," the CM pointed out.