Shivakumar pulls up BBMP, calls for cross party unity to resolve Bengaluru issues

Karnataka's deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar on Monday asked Bengaluru’s civic body Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) officials to beef up their efforts for the city’s ongoing infrastructure projects and fix its issues. In a meeting with the city’s MLAs and MLCs, he called for cross-party unity on the matter and asked for their inputs for Bengaluru’s development.

“Bengaluru’s citizens have suffered a lot due to infrastructure problems. They are overwhelmed by corruption. It is our duty to provide adequate civic amenities,” he said, asking the legislators to leave their personal politics aside for the city.

Last year in September, Bengaluru’s tech belt bore the brunt of the monsoon, as unfinished projects around the region obstructed the flow of the water and caused massive water-logging. According to the Outer Ring Road Companies’ Association (ORRCA), IT companies suffered a collective damage of Rs 225 crore in the floods. This year, the city has experienced broken roads and flooded streets during pre-monsoon showers, leading to doubts as to the BBMP's claims of preparedness.


The deputy CM asked the civic authorities to report on the city’s drinking water supply and check whether each region was being provided water in proportion to its population.

He also ordered the BBMP Chief Commissioner Tushar Giri Nath to suspend all the officers and engineers who planned and implemented the road construction project between Hoskerehalli lake to “facilitate the influential apartment owners.” The BBMP cleared debris and construction material it had dumped on the lake site in March, succumbing under heavy criticism, and dropped the project. The road planned would have split the lake into two.

Bengaluru has faced flak earlier for allowing infrastructure projects in its lakes’ buffer zone. Occupying these regions not only lessens the odds of the lake surviving, but also increases the chances of flooding in case of heavy rains.

Karnataka, especially Bengaluru, Shivakumar said, contributes immensely to the country's economy. “More money goes to the Center in the form of GST, Cess, and various taxes. Let's bring the due share to the state and develop it,” he added.