2,515 SWD encroachments to be removed: BBMP to HC

The BBMP on Wednesday submitted an affidavit with regard to the removal of encroachments on stormwater drains (SWD) to the Karnataka High Court.

The court was hearing a public interest litigation (PIL) petition filed by the Citizens Action Group seeking directions to the BBMP to ensure effective maintenance and monitoring of the SWDs.

In his affidavit, Chief Engineer, Department of Storm Water Drains (SWD), stated that the BBMP (Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike) along with the Deputy Commissioner, Bengaluru Urban, has taken up the task of removal of encroachments on SWDs. As part of this effort, 2,515 encroachments have been identified so far.

The affidavit said that 428 encroachments have been removed during 2016-17 and 2017-18. The survey has been completed for 428 encroachments. In the year 2018-19, 51 encroachments have been identified and removed so far. For 1637 encroachments, the survey is yet to be carried out.

The affidavit further added that the survey and removal of encroachments is being carried out on a regular basis by a team formed under the Joint Director of Land Records (Bengaluru Urban) through an order dated October 16, 2018. The removal of encroachments is being closely monitored by the ‘Intra-departmental Coordination Committee’ chaired by the Chief Secretary, Karnataka government.

The affidavit also mentioned that the BBMP engineers had invited tenders in their respective zones for one-time desilting of SWDs in their territorial divisions. The state government through an order dated December 24, 2018, had approved the said orders and work orders were issued to the lowest bidders. The bidders are carrying out the work in full flow.

The affidavit also pointed out that all endeavours are being made on the part of the BBMP to desilt and maintain the SWDs which would enable the free flow of stormwater.