To rein in stubborn bureaucrats, Karnataka government to invoke Disaster Management Act to clear buildings obstructing rainwater flow

Bengaluru: Deputy Chief Minister of Karnataka, DK Shivakumar, has ordered officials to clear all encroachments under the Disaster Management Act to ensure smooth flow of rainwater in the city.

Speaking to reporters after inspecting storm water drains at Manyata Tech Park recently, he said, “Officials have been directed to clear all buildings which obstruct the smooth flow of rain water in Bengaluru. Action on this issue will be taken under the Disaster Management Act.”

“The Chief Minister and I have already visited the rain-affected areas. This is an important junction and any issues here result in problems in other areas. Some people have obtained stays from the court to stop encroachment clearances and our officials are also not cooperating with the enforcement of law. Hence, we have directed them to clear encroachments with written orders under the Disaster Management Act,” he said.

Permanent solution

The DCM said: “We are not keen on taking away anyone’s property and troubling them. I am visiting the problem spots in person to verify the ground situation. Everyone has agreed to allow the encroachment clearance drive to continue. But it is important that we find a permanent solution to this pressing issue.”

Power to commissioner

Shivakumar said: “We don’t want to demolish any random building, but it is important to ensure that rainwater flows smoothly without causing floods. We cannot allow Bengaluru’s reputation to go do down the drain. We will compensate building owners if there are technical issues, but we want the issues plaguing the city to be resolved decisively. We have given complete authority to the BBMP Commissioner and the Secretary to take necessary action in this regard.”

Asked about the confusion created by maps, he said, “Irrespective of the issues with the maps, rainwater must flow without obstructions.”

On the BJP’s demand to reduce the garbage cess, he said, “We will show them the mirror on decisions taken during their tenure. We will also evaluate their proposal and have discussions with them on the matter.”

Replying to a question on his letter to the Chief Secretary regarding transfer of engineers in the Irrigation Department, Shivakumar said, “There are not many engineers in the Irrigation Department. We need resources immediately to carry out our works. Hence, I have written to the Chief Secretary to not transfer out any engineer to other departments. Many of them come to this department, get a promotion and then seek transfers to other departments.”

Asked if any transfers had happened without his knowledge, the DCM said, “There is a provision to do so at a senior level. Many MLAs put pressure on us to deploy engineers of their choice in their jurisdiction. Hence, engineers are not coming forward to work in the Irrigation department. This was the reason behind the letter.”