BBMP blames floods on encroachments, stay orders

Speaking to Asianet Newsable, BBMP Commissioner Manjunath Prasad said: "This is a big challenge for the BBMP as many lakes and culverts have been encroached. This lakes and culverts mitigate floods, hence the BBMP will intensify our encroachment clearance drive." 

On the present situation at Kodichikkanahalli, he said, "The BBMP is already at the work and is de-sliting the drains. Here at Kodichikkanahalli, many homes were flooded after the tank bund was damaged. Now we have taken measures to cover the bund. Once the rains stops we will strengthen," He said.

Siddegowda, chief engineer of the stormwater drains, who is the sole authority for culverts and stormwater drains, said, "There is rampant encroachment on stormwater drains and culverts. When the BBMP takes its team to clear such blockages, the encroachers get a stay order from the courts. Later, when such tragedies happens, once again, the BBMP gets blamed," he said.

There is a two km stretch of a stormwater drain that runs along between Akshay Nagar, Kodichikkanahalli and Arekere and Madivala lake. The BBMP has identified 750 meters of encroachment between Akshay Nagar and Madivala lake. The BBMP will clear the encroachment to prevent similar damage in the future, Siddegowda added.

• BBMP
• Bengaluru
• Bengaluru floods