No rain havoc in Bengaluru city: District-in-charge Minister Ramalinga Reddy

Bengaluru: Dismissing all complaints regarding lack of men and machinery, District-in-charge Minister Ramalinga Reddy maintained that so far there has been no pre-monsoon trouble for Bengaluru!

Ignoring the fact that trees that got uprooted during Sunday night showers were still lying uncleared, Mr Reddy claimed that the rains had not caused any serious problems in the city. Addressing the reporters after a review meeting with all the senior BBMP officials on Tuesday, Mr Reddy said that BBMP workers have been instructed to be present at low-lying areas while it’s raining to understand the problems.

“Officials go to problem-prone areas after the rain stops. There’s no point visiting these places after the rain water subsides. Hence, even if it’s raining, they should be present at the affected areas,” he said. He then said that night squads would be formed to monitor illegal dumping of construction debris on footpaths. “The CM noticed illegal dumping of debris in some of the areas. We will form the squads to keep a check on such dumping,” he added.

Appreciating the administrator and commissioner for visiting garbage mustering centres every week, he maintained that in the next six months, conditions of roads and solid waste management would vastly improve in the city. “The Chief Minister has granted Rs 1,500 crore under 2015-16 Nagarottana funds, Rs 1,000 crore from last year’s Nagarottana funds and an additional Rs 1,000 crore for infrastructure development. Works to the tune of Rs 3,500 crore will be taken up in the city. Also, pending bills of all the garbage contractors will be cleared,” he said.

While works worth Rs 1,000 crore will be handed over to Public Works department, Mr Reddy added that Rs 250 crore was allotted for remodeling, de-silting and repairs of storm water drains. He said that contractors had not responded to some of the tenders floated for de-silting of drains, but within six months scheduled works would be complete.

Regarding delay in filling potholes he said that rain had affected the works and the BBMP would be unable to fill potholes till the rains stop. He added that Rs 1 lakh was allotted for every ward to fill potholes.