Basement parking to be banned in flood zones: CM Siddaramaiah

Bengaluru: In the wake of two electrocution deaths during the drainage of a flooded apartment parking lot, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Wednesday announced a policy to ban basement parking in low-lying areas.

"We will not approve basement parking in flood-prone zones. This policy will not apply citywide, but only in areas with recurrent flooding. Parking will be mandated above a certain height,” he said.

The announcement came after the chief minister inspected nearly a dozen flood-hit areas in Bengaluru, accompanied by Bengaluru Development Minister DK Shivakumar, Energy Minister KJ George, Urban Development Minister Byrathi Suresh, and senior officials.

Additional Chief Secretary Tushar Girinath said the policy may permit stilt-level parking in such areas.

CM’s assurances

At Nagawara, Siddaramaiah assured residents that the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) will survey properties owned by Karle Infra Pvt Ltd, Manpho Convention Centre, Manyata Tech Park, and others to identify encroachments and clear natural water pathways.

In HBR Layout and Sai Layout, officials blamed flooding on a narrow railway vent at Geddalahalli. “Work to widen the vent, costing Rs 13 crore, has begun,” Siddaramaiah said. "So far, Rs 3 crore has been deposited with the Railways and Rs 6 crore has been spent. We’ll complete the remaining work,” he added, without setting a deadline.

Red carpet controversy

A red carpet was laid out at HBR Layout where the chief minister had scheduled an inspection. As the special treatment in a flood-hit area drew a controversy, the workers removed the carpet even before Siddaramaiah got down from the bus.

The BJP leaders were quick to notice the red carpet and wondered whether the Chief Minister was attending a film premiere or a flood-hit area.

In response, Siddaramaiah said that the BBMP has only followed the protocol of receiving the head of the state, but added that putting a red carpet was wrong. "I have not stepped on the red carpet. The carpet may have been put by BJP leaders as many of their MLAs were part of the inspection,” he hit back.

Compensation for flood victims

Siddaramaiah directed the BBMP to compensate flood-affected families as per the National Disaster Management Rules. "I visited Gurappanapalya, where nearly 400 homes were flooded. Residents are demanding Rs 1 lakh each,” he said, adding that a detailed damage assessment is underway.

Ex-MLA blames Yediyurappa

Former BJP MLA Arvind Limbavali blamed former chief minister BS Yediyurappa for scrapping the Intermediate Ring Road project. He said several apartment approvals in Mahadevapura, including Sobha projects, were based on the planned road, which was dropped ahead of the 2023 elections.

"Without it, the area lacks infrastructure for the growing traffic. I urge the government to revive the project,” he said during the Chief Minister's inspection of Panathur Main Road.

MLA pledges to resign

Facing residents' anger over persistent flooding in Sai Layout, KR Puram MLA Byrathi Basavaraj pledged to resign, if the issue isn’t resolved by the next monsoon.

"This area has flooded for 12 years. I was present during the latest incident and arranged food and aid," he said. "The railway vent work was delayed over unpaid bills, but it is resumed now. If the problem persists next year, I will step down.”