Ad-hoc measures not enough: Seegehalli residents

BENGALURU: RESIDENTS of RMS Colony in Seegehalli have been fuming as all ad-hoc measures taken to prevent flooding of the area have not borne desired results. The residents had a harrowing time on Wednesday after the overnight rain. Residents of RMS Colony 2nd Main Road said such flooding is happening for the first time in decades. Jai Shankar, a local, said, “The storm water drain that flows into the Seegehalli lake is clogged. This is the reason for the flooding. Had the BBMP acted promptly and ensured that the drain was free of blockage, Jose, the woman who lost her life on Wednesday after she touched the UPS in her house, would have been alive today.”

A week ago, a section of the Seegehalli Main Road adjacent to the SWD, was demolished to allow for water to flow into the lake. The work was started by Ward 53 corporator Jayaprakash. On Wednesday, Ward 52 corporator Poornima got an excavator to unclog the drain. However, RMS Colony residents say such measures are too little and too late. Manjunath M, BBMP chief engineer of Mahadevapura division said, “The work should be taken up by the SWD division. We were asked to take it up on an emergent basis. It’s true that this rajakaluve is really old. The drain should be 10-12 ft deep and 40 ft wide. This drain is just 3 ft deep. That is why we have taken up reconstruction with major roads fund on an emergent basis.”