Reportedly about two years ago, heavy rainfall lashed Bengaluru and brought the city to a standstill. Meanwhile the flooded roads resembled murky sewage pits and residents had to buy inflatable boats to navigate the streets. Furthermore one of the primary causes for the flooding was attributed to sewage flowing into the storm water drainage system and the rampant encroachment of such drains.
Meanwhile the BWSSB has also sent a list of addresses of these 497 properties to the Karnataka State Pollution Control Board. Speaking to TNM, Kemparamaiah, Chief Engineer of BWSSB, says that the National Green Tribunal had directed the agency to come up with an action plan to rid storm water drains of sewage. He said “We are just carrying out NGT orders”.
Moreover Bengaluru has a network of 1,090 km storm water drains and since 2004, the alterations made to the wetlands in the city resulted in rampant storm water drain encroachment and sewage inflow into drains meant to carry rainwater. Apparently the pressure for action against negligent officials was so high that 20 officials from the BBMP, Bengaluru Development Authority and the Department of Town and Country Planning were booked under various sections of the Karnataka Municipal Corporation Act and IPC.
