JOIN USCore area lessons on flood control to come in handy in new wards
After the existing Master Plan-2015 (in force till 2017) failed to control flooding during rains in the City, the Bangalore Development Authority (BDA) has said the new Master Plan-2031 will make sure to incorporate measures to prevent flooding in new areas.
BDA Town Planning member Chowdegowda told Deccan Herald that nothing could be done within the City limits at present because of space constraints and rampant encroachment. Procedural delays, lack of coordination among civic agencies and non-availability of funds to implement projects have also contributed to the situation.
“The new master plan is being prepared for a total area of 1,290 sq km of which 800 sq km is developed and the remaining 390 sq km needs to be developed. Flooding and damage happen mostly in low-lying areas and especially where space between drains and water bodies is blocked. So, in the new areas, we will ensure that there is at least a gap of 5-20 metres between drains (open and major) and construction sites. The gap will depend upon the location and the slope of the drain. Maintaining this gap will be made mandatory,” Chowdegowda said.
He explained that since nothing could be done in the City limits, the proposed plan would be implemented in the areas newly added to the Palike limits.
“More focus will be on Arkavathi and Kumudvathi river belt and surrounding places. These are the two major streams around Bengaluru and there are many low-lying areas around them,” he explained.
In a public meeting organised by the BDA on April 30, a resident had pinpointed the shortcomings in the Master Plan-2015 and the failure of the government agencies to control flooding.
There are three types of drains or streams in and around the City - primary, secondary and tertiary. The BDA is more focused on primary and tertiary drains. The civic agency is also working on constructing footpaths with adequate shoulder drains, which will be between roads and footpaths, so that there is no flooding.
All this was a part Master Plan-2015, but the government agencies failed to implement them, Chowdegowda added.
The official was quick to add that the development authority does only macro-level planning in the Master Plan while the micro-level and the meso-level planning is not handled by it.
Though an area-wise plan is prepared, it is for the other agencies to implement. The new master plan would be completed by December. The notification will be issued for public opinion in January next year.