Chief secy holds meet, takes stock of rain havoc

Two days after rainwater flooded parts of Bengaluru, Chief Secretary Subhash Chandra Khuntia held a review meeting on Thursday with officials of all civic agencies to assess the situation.

The city witnessed heavy rainfall late on Monday night and early Tuesday morning, leaving several areas inundated.

He took officials to task for the inconvenience citizens experienced. “I have sought a detailed report and a list of those responsible. No erring official will be spared,” he told DH.

He directed the additional chief secretaries to ensure that the damages are set right. “I was told that there was a breach of the retaining walls of the lakes and this is sheer negligence to take up work during monsoon. Notices will be issued to officials responsible for this. Orders have been issued to clear encroachments at the earliest,” he said.

He said the rainfall received was abnormal. However, keeping previous instances in mind, the officials should have been well prepared to tackle such a situation.

Regarding frothing in Bellandur lake, Khuntia said work on rejuvenating the waterbody was being done as per the action plan and suggestions of the expert committee. The state has already presented the details to the Centre. At the next hearing, the National Green Tribunal (NGT) will be apprised of the work progress.

Bellandur lake work in progress
While short-term measures like weeding and clearing hyacinth is happening as per schedule, medium- and long-term measures will take time. Desilting is a major challenge as all standing water cannot be drained out, he added. The chief secretary said he will visit the lake soon, before the next NGT hearing.

“I have learnt that frothing has increased in the lake after rainfall. The departments are being told to speed up the work on installing treatment plants and ensure sewage entry is stopped at the earliest,” he added.