Latest news with #StormWaterDrain
New Indian Express
23-05-2025
- Business
- New Indian Express
SWD project: BBMP secures D1,600 crore World Bank loan
BENGALURU: After the deluge comes a sliver of good news. Chief Commissioner of Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) Maheshwar Rao on Thursday said that a loan amount of Rs 1,600 crore has been approved by World Bank and now the BBMP will start the works related to the Storm Water Drain (SWD) project. The loan was sought and approved for the specific purpose and the plan is to ensure the stormwater is taken out from Bengaluru City without any flooding and reaches the river network in the city outskirts, he said. The Chief Commissioner also said a special meeting will be held with the Revenue Department Secretary regarding removal of encroachment of SWDs, which is a continuous process and the palike is doing it. Further, BBMP Engineer-In-Chief and in-charge Stormwater Drains, BS Prahallad said, 173.9 kilometres of stormwater drain in the city outskirts remained unlinked. 'We will have to concrete the stormwater drain and construct a retaining wall. The gaps will be covered. Tender bids were called and the same was placed before the monitoring committee, financial bids will be called shortly and work will be taken up,' he said. Meanwhile, the revenue department also has submitted a report to BBMP after surveying the Rajakaluve. After deploying surveyors, it has confirmed encroachment of 416 SWDs across the City and has given the report to BBMP to take up further action like eviction and reclamation of the storm water drains. The revenue department had received 1,023 complaints two years ago, out of which, district administration found encroachments on 416 SWDs. The Special Deputy Commissioner of Revenue Department stated that 607 encroachment cases are pending and the order for the same is expected to be completed and shared with the municipality soon. The revenue officials have tossed the ball in to the municipality's court in 416 cases and said, it is up to the municipal authority to serve eviction notice, take police action and clear the encroachments on stormwater drains. 173.9 km of stormwater drain in the city outskirts remain unlinked BBMP to concrete stormwater drain and construct a retaining wall 416 encroachments of SWDs across Bengaluru City Now, BBMP faces the challenge of eviction and reclamation of stormwater drains
New Indian Express
12-05-2025
- Politics
- New Indian Express
Varthur residents slam BBMP's Storm Water Drain project
BENGALURU: The Varthur residents, who are up in arms against the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) for planning a flyover in the locality, have now alleged that BBMP officials have cut the Storm Water Drain (SWD) network and covered the drain with concrete for vehicle movement. They further alleged that the officials have also diverted the Comprehensive Development Plan (CDP) Road from Thubarahalli to Kundlahalli to help builders for easy access to their properties, which has led to heavy traffic pressure on Varthur Main Road. The major canal, which links Varthur Lake and Bellanduru Amanikere Lake and runs along survey numbers 61 and 59, has been allegedly cut to make a road to connect Varthur. 'The officials have covered the major drain by placing concrete slabs. The drain, which is about 150 metres long near Vibgyor School, has been cut. It appears that builders, to facilitate better connectivity to their apartments, have got this violation executed through SWD Officials,' alleged Raveesh JK, an advocate and a resident of Varthur. The secretary of the Varthur Nagarikara Hitha Rakshana Vedika, Jagadish Reddy, alleged that certain political leaders and their associates own properties along the proposed CDP Road alignment from Balagere T Junction to Kundalahalli Junction.
New Indian Express
11-05-2025
- Politics
- New Indian Express
Warrant issued against BBMP engineer over drain encroachments
BENGALURU: The Karnataka Land Grabbing Prohibition Special Court has issued a warrant against Executive Engineer (EE) Raghavendra of the Storm Water Drain (SWD) Division, Mahadevapura zone, for not issuing a notice to those who have encroached SWD. The court had taken up a suo motu case in 2023 based on news reports. The court had directed SWD officials to file cases against encroachers as per Form No. 1 within 30 days in September 2024. But the officials did not comply. The EE is supposed to report or complain to the tahsildar about primary and secondary drains under Section 104, Karnataka Land Revenue Act, 1964. 'The court on September 17, 2024, directed Raghavendra and Superintendent Engineer Malati to file cases against encroachers. The officials had given an undertaking to file cases within 15 days, but did not file them. Taking note, the court asked the engineers why they should not be treated as abettors of the commission of the offence and as accused before the court. It also noted that the officer, in his report dated August 8, 2024, had acknowledged the encroachment and still did nothing. It clearly shows that he has disrespected the court's orders,' said an advocate, Raveesh JK. The court, in its February order, directed the Mahadevapura police to issue a bailable warrant of Rs 1,00,000, and the engineer secured bail on Tuesday and is supposed to appear before the court on June 14. 'There were stormwater drain encroachments in survey number (Sy)-77, 156 of Varthur Village and encroachments on Sy numbers 66, 72, 98 and 99 of Kumbena Agrahara Village. In the Mahadevapura Assembly constituency, if officials do their duty honestly, a few more government land encroachments will come to light,' stated Raveesh. Raghavendra said that it was the duty of the tahsildar to serve notices, and the BBMP has also approached the court and will explain its position.
