BBMP clears 2.3 lakh tonnes of silt from stormwater drains in 135 days

BENGALURU: As part of its monsoon preparations, the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) has removed 11,733 truckloads of silt — translating into 6.6 lakh cubic metres or 2.3 lakh tonnes — from stormwater drains in the past 135 days.
One 10-wheeler truck has a capacity to carry nearly 20 tonnes of silt, but contractors are known to overload vehicles, ferrying 26 tonnes at times. Stating a majority of the waste was in the form of coconut shells, garbage, thermocol and tree branches, obstructing free flow of water in SWDs, officials emphasised that citizens too must be responsible and stop clogging drains with trash.

SWD chief engineer BS Prahlad said the silt-removal drive began in November 2018 and ended on March 31, 2019. He claimed this is the first time in a decade that SWDs have been cleaned.
“Most streets and layouts flood due to silt gathered by the roadside, which hampers water flow. We need collective efforts by ward-level and SWD engineers, who should ensure waste is not dumped in drains,” Prahlad said.
The BBMP has a drain network of around 842km, which includes primary and secondary drains. According to documents accessed by TOI, the civic agency has built 177km of drains between 2006 and 2017. The government had released Rs 800 crore (2016-17) and Rs 300 crore (2017-18) to undertake SWD development in rain-affected areas. An additional Rs 117 crore was released after the city witnessed heavy rain on August 15, 2017 and on September 3, 2017.
A Rs 1,217 crore action plan to develop a 212km SWD network has been approved by the government and around 536 points identified for construction of retention walls around drains. A recent review by Mahendra Jain, additional chief secretary, urban development department, revealed that desilting has been completed for a 184km stretch. The Palike has spent Rs 1,100 crore on silt removal and drain development.
Prahlad said desilting has been completed and an annual maintenance contract has been awarded to Yoga and Yoga, which has been asked to provide around 800 men and earthmovers to each zone and ensure silt is removed regularly. The firm is required to maintain drains for three years at Rs 38 crore. BBMP commissioner N Manjunatha Prasad said directions have been issued to engineers from the road infrastructure wing and at the ward level to ensure there are no water stagnation points in their jurisdictions.