Complete Stormwater Drain Works on Priority: Bengaluru East City Corporation Commissioner Directs Officials
Bengaluru, May 5: In a crucial push to strengthen the city’s flood management system ahead of the monsoon, Bengaluru East City Commissioner D.S. Ramesh chaired a coordination meeting with officials, directing them to expedite and prioritise stormwater drain development works being undertaken with World Bank assistance.
The meeting focused on accelerating the progress of ongoing stormwater drain (SWD) projects, ensuring inter-departmental coordination, and implementing pre-monsoon preparedness measures effectively across the East Zone. The Commissioner emphasised that the objective is to prevent waterlogging and ensure smooth drainage during heavy rains.
Reviewing the status of works funded under the World Bank, the Commissioner highlighted the need for clear demarcation of drain boundaries, removal of encroachments, and timely execution of development and modernisation projects. He stressed that these measures are critical to avoid flooding in vulnerable areas during the upcoming rainy season.
During the meeting, officials were instructed that the Project Implementation Unit (PIU) will hold overall responsibility for the execution, maintenance, and monitoring of stormwater drain works across the zone. The PIU has also been tasked with ensuring seamless coordination with all relevant departments to deliver results on the ground.
On the issue of encroachments, the Commissioner directed that close coordination with the Revenue Department must be ensured for identifying drain boundaries and clearing encroachments. The PIU will be accountable for ensuring that encroachment removal is carried out efficiently to facilitate uninterrupted development works.
Given the approaching monsoon, the Commissioner instructed officials to immediately undertake emergency and priority works, including preventive measures to handle heavy rainfall situations. He underlined that delays or lack of coordination could directly impact public safety and urban mobility.
The Commissioner reiterated that timely completion of stormwater drain projects with quality standards is essential to prevent recurring waterlogging issues in Bengaluru. All departments were directed to work in coordination and implement strict precautionary measures to ensure that citizens do not face inconvenience during the rainy season.
The meeting was attended by Additional Commissioner (Development) Snehal Sudhakar Lokhande, Chief Engineer Krishnamurthy, Executive Engineers from Kadugodi Division and SWD Division, Assistant Executive Engineers, and officials from the Project Implementation Unit, along with other concerned officials.
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