Rs 5,000-cr plan to prevent damage by heavy rains, flooding in Bengaluru

Belagavi: A permanent plan worth Rs 5,000 crore has been formulated to prevent the damage caused by heavy rains and flooding in areas under the jurisdiction of the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP), announced Revenue Minister Krishna Byre Gowda.

Speaking at the Suvarna Vidhana Soudha in Belagavi on Friday, the minister detailed the damage caused by excessive rains in the state this year.

The government is pursuing a permanent solution to prevent floods in Bengaluru with an investment of Rs. 5,000 crore. As part of this, 10 rounds of discussions have been held to secure assistance from the World Bank. A Rs. 3,000 crore loan will be obtained from the World Bank, while Rs. 2,000 crore will be spent through BBMP to develop all stormwater drains.

The Minister explained that flood-prone areas in Bengaluru have been identified, and measures are being implemented to improve stormwater drains and residential area canals to ensure smooth water flow during heavy rains. BBMP area has 856 kilometers of primary stormwater drains, along with 200 kilometers of secondary drains where no primary drains exist, making a total of 1,100 kilometers. A permanent plan has been formulated to ensure the smooth flow of excess rainwater through these drains.

Out of the total 1,100 kilometers of drains, 700 kilometers have already been developed, with the remaining 300 kilometers slated for completion within a year. For this, Rs. 240 crore has been allocated under the Disaster Mitigation Fund.

In the newly added 110 villages under BBMP, a proper underground drainage system will be established where none currently exists. These drains will be connected directly to the sewage treatment water lines.

Key roads in Bengaluru that frequently suffer damage during rains have been identified, and a Rs. 695 crore project has been approved by the cabinet to repair and asphalt these roads. The tender process for this project is underway.