It was nearly a year ago, during peak monsoons, that areas around Madiwala lake were inundated. Though lessons were claimed to have been learnt, it is only now, with the monsoon clouds on the horizon again, that the State government seems to have started corrective works.
During a visit to Kodichikkanahalli, Nyanappanahalli, Shantiniketan layout in Arakere on Thursday, Minister for Bengaluru Development and Town Planning K.J. George said he has sanctioned ₹25 crore for a canal that would divert excess water away from these areas.
“The work will take four months to complete...till then, I have asked officials to make alternative arrangements to ensure these areas do not flood,” he said.
In July 2016, these areas saw more than 4 ft of water, and boats were deployed for rescue operations.
Similarly, though multiple houses were demolished during the subsequent drive to clear encroachments on storm water drains (SWD) nearly nine months ago, a portion of the SWD was yet to be constructed. Mayor G. Padmavathi said that 1.8 km of SWD in Aavani Sringeri layout had been completed and work on 330 m was left which would be completed soon.
When asked why these works had started just days before the monsoons are expected to hit the city, Mr. George said: “The government took immediate actions last year and executed the plans. The work is in progress and most of them have been completed.”