BBMP files status report of work on stormwater drains

The BBMP has filed a status report in the high court pertaining to the construction, remodelling and desilting of stormwater drains, as directed by the court.

A division bench headed by Chief Justice Dinesh Maheshwari was hearing a public interest litigation filed by the Citizen Actions Group seeking directions to the civic body to ensure effective maintenance and monitoring of the stormwater drains (SWDs).

The affidavit states that as on June 11, 169 km of remodelling and construction of the drains has been completed. As on that date, 150 km of desilting work was completed, it said.

The report also mentioned that day to day cleaning, maintenance and remodelling and construction of the SWDs and desilting work were in progress. It added that the Palike has floated fresh tenders for remodelling and desilting of the SWDs and that it is taking up further 20 km of the said work in Yeshwantpur, which will be completed within 60 days.

The BBMP also stated that to prevent the garbage from being thrown into the SWDs, it has taken up the work to lay chain link fencing along the SWDs. Also, it has identified 16 additional vulnerable reaches and has fenced the same with the chain link.

Accordingly, the entire 118 locations have been fenced with chain link and a total of 179.85 km of the drain is now fenced with chain link.

To prevent inconvenience in the monsoon season, 63 control rooms have been set up which are working 24 hours a day. They will be headed by the joint commissioners of the respective zones, the Palike said.

The bench asked the BBMP to make a comprehensive report with regard to the plan for cleaning and maintenance of stormwater drains.

Expressing displeasure over the BBMP’s work so far, the court asked the corporation to work in collaboration with the BWSSB and the Karnataka Pollution Control Board.

It also orally observed that the first priority of the civic body was to ensure public safety.

The matter was adjourned.