No new development projects in rainy season

Mayor S K Nataraj, who visited the areas affected by Sunday’s downpour, said on Monday that civic agencies have been directed not to commence new projects till the end of rainy season.

“We believe that most works that involve digging of roads leave the trees unstable,” he noted. Heavy rains accompanied with gusting winds wreaked havoc in the City on Sunday evening.

The Mayor disbursed a cheque for Rs one lakh to the family of Anjanamma who lost her life due to heavy rains at Ullalu. Neighbours of Anjanamma told the media the 48-year old woman who worked as a casual labourer had stepped out of her small concrete home to throw garbage when a wall came crumbling on her. Nataraj termed the incident unfortunate, and distanced himself along with the BBMP as it was a private construction.
Attributing the wall collapse to shabby work, the Mayor said necessary action will be taken against the owner of the building.

Allegations dismissed

The Mayor dismissed the allegations against civic agencies of being responsible for loosening the tree roots leading to uprooting. He in turn put the blame on private agencies laying cables.

“Trees have been uprooting in the City due to the gusting winds. Most works by the civic agencies have been carried out with care and the private companies which lay the cables have destabilised the roots,” he said.

Later at Hoskerehalli, Nataraj and the leader of the ruling party in the BBMP Council Katte Satyanarayana pulled up the officials for their unsatisfactory work over the desilting of the storm water drain. Ramakrishna, father of two children was found dead in a narrow drain near his home in the locality.

According to eyewitnesses, Ramakrishna, a cab driver was inebriated.  The BBMP in this case stated that the cheque of rupees one lakh will be given to his family only after a post mortem report arrives determining the cause of his death.