The National Green Tribunal on Monday expressed concern over the poor drainage system in Bengaluru, that got exposed during the recent rain as about 16 lives were lost within a fortnight.
The bench headed by Justice Swatanter Kumar said that there could not be a bigger tragedy than this since as many as 16 people were killed due to flood and waterlogging in the city.
The panel was hearing a plea by Rajya Sabha member D Kupendra Reddy, who contended that due to the failure of the civic authorities, lakes of Bellandur, Varthur and Agara were contaminated.
Reddy’s counsel P Rama Prasad brought to the notice of the panel the issue of recent deaths following rain. He submitted that the canals for the smooth flow of rainwater have already been encroached upon leading to waterlogging. The three lakes which used to store and absorb the rainwater were filled with garbage, affecting the normal intake of rainwater, he said.
The panel said the present situation could have been avoided had the authorities paid due attention to the sewage and drainage system in the city. The tribunal put the matter for further consideration on October 30.
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