Bruhat Bangalore Mahanagar Palike (BBMP) Commissioner Dr S Subramanya on Sunday instructed officials led by Joint Commissioner (East) Nagaraj to initiate immediate steps to shift residents of 12 housing blocks of the EWS (Economically Weaker Sections) quarters at Ejipura to temporary makeshift sheds for safety.
These dilapidated housing structures face an imminent danger of collapsing due to heavy rains that lashed the City during the last few days. Sources in the BBMP said 432 families would have to be evacuated as per the directive from the commissioner.
BBMP Chief Engineer (East) Srinivas surveyed the area on Saturday and identified 12 housing blocks that are on the verge of collapse. The BBMP would make arrangements to house them in temporary sheds on vacant land adjacent to the EWS quarters.
A total of 42 housing blocks is home to more than 4,500 people here. These quarters are in the news every year when monsoons strike.
JNNURM
“The plan entails shifting residents, so as to facilitate construction of new and modern housing quarters under the JNNURM (Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission) at a cost of Rs 70 crore. BBMP is also considering a PPP (Public-Private-Partnership) model for construction of new houses at Ejipura, wherein slums on prime land is open to private investment.
When Deccan Herald paid a visit to the quarters on Sunday, none of the residents spoken to, were aware of the rehabilitation plan.
“Every year, when rains lash the City and flooding takes place, the talk of evacuation is in the news. But we are used to the lies. Corporators and MLAs visit and reassure rehabilitation and then we are forgotten,” lamented Arjun a resident of the EWS quarters.
However, Mr Louis, president of Dr Ambedkar Residents Welfare Association at the quarters, said BBMP officials had visited told residents of a evacuation plan.
BBMP’S MEASURES
BBMP Commissioner Dr S Subramanya and his team visited rain affected areas in City on Sunday and instructed officials to clear storm water drains (SWD) that led to water clogging in low-lying areas.
BBMP Special Commissioner Gaurav Gupta said a meeting was held to assess the situation.
Chief Engineer (SWD), M B Burgy said, water clogging at Ejipura was not a result of the SWD. “A widening of the drain is required there. We have requested the Karnataka Housing Board to give us land for the project at Vrishabavathi valley. At Domlur a bund near MEG Centre was also cleaned,” he added.
Low lying areas were also inspected by BBMP Joint Commissioner (Works) Harsh Gupta who instructed contractors to speed up works.
BBMP also demolished an illegal encroachment over a SWD blocking free of water at Kempegowda Nagar.
CITY IN DARK FOR 3 HOURS
Citizens on Sunday had to put up with blackout also. Several areas in the western part of the City were plunged into darkness for nearly three hours.
According to Bescom officials, a 220 KV station at Peenya had developed some technical snag at around 6.20 pm, resulting in power shut down. The repair work was undertaken immediately and restored around 9 pm, officials said. The areas affected were: Peenya, Yeswanthpur, Rajajinagar, Basaveshwarnagar, Nandhini Layout, Sahakarnagar, Yalahanka and several other areas.
MORE RAINS
The City received 0.6 mm of rain on Sunday evening. Officials from the Meteorological Department said light monsoon showers were recorded. The department in its weather forecast for Monday has predicted cloudy skies with showers that may be accompanied by thunder towards evening/night.
