Post May 17 rain havoc in Bengaluru, Chief Engineer (SWD) Suguna moved to in-charge of lakes
BENGALURU:
Finally, the axe has fallen on BBMP Chief Engineer Suguna for her perceived failure in tackling the situation following the torrential rains in Bengaluru on the night of May 17. During his recce of rain-hit city areas on May 19, Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai had dropped a clear hint to that effect. On Saturday, Suguna was officially relieved of her charge as Chief Engineer (Storm Water Drains) and given a new responsibility to take care of Bengaluru’s lakes.
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By the official order on Saturday, M Lokesh, Chief Engineer (Projects), has now been given additional responsibility of Storm Water Drains.
TheBengaluruLive had published a story on May 20, titled ‘Bengaluru floods’ ‘casualty’: CM directs replacement of top SWD official,’. We wrote that the onus for the havoc caused by the May 17 rains was placed on Suguna during the Chief Minister’s review of the situation.
Huge funds for drains
In fire-fighting mode, the state government announced that Rs 1,600 crore would be spent towards revamping more than 400 km of storm water drains in Bengaluru so as to prevent a repetition of the May 17 floods. The onus will now be on Chief Engineer M Lokesh to invite tenders and supervise execution of SWD-related works
Vijayakumar Haridas is TVCC Chief Engineer
Meanwhile, another Chief Engineer, Vijayakumar Haridas, who was looking after Bengaluru’s lakes, has been appointed Chief Engineer of TVCC, a wing which works under the BBMP Chief Commissioner, monitors the quality of ongoing works and submits its report directly to the Chief Commissioner.
