Bengaluru: Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister Shivakumar on Sunday warned officials of "merciless action" if the potholes in Bengaluru city were not filled within the 15 days deadline that was set.

Shivakumar, who is also the Minister in-charge of Bengaluru city development had on September 1 set a 15-day deadline to the city civic body Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike to fill potholes across the city, citing a lot of complaints.

"I have held a meeting with Bengaluru city corporation officials, senior officials and Chief Engineers and have told them that the fifteen days deadline I had given, within that time, the work should be completed. 400 staff-engineers who are there should first focus on filling the potholes," he said.

Addressing reporters here after the meeting, he said on failing to do so merciless action will be taken against those responsible.

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"How many will get suspended I don't know, I have strictly told them that the potholes should be filled within the deadline. I have told them directly. Within their wards, those responsible, however big or small they are, from top to bottom they should be on the streets personally and get the potholes filled, that's the first priority," he added.

Shivakumar further said he will personally go around the streets of Bengaluru after the fifteen days. "Who will get suspended I don't know."

He also said that forest department officials have been asked to trim the trees to avoid incidents of tree fall due to breeze and rains.

"Trees cannot be cut, trimming should be done, to avoid incidents of tree fall."

Noting that there are chances of rains in September, Shivakumar said, "so far we have managed without any problem. We have to be cautious now. Things should be monitored from the control room, in case of any rain effects such as water logging and water entering houses, the situation should be managed effectively and efficiently. The Deputy CM said on October 2 Gandhi Jayanti, at all schools in Bengaluru, whether it is corporation or private schools, an oath would be administered to all students on maintaining cleanliness.

"We will take pledge in Vidhana Soudha, and students in their respective schools regarding maintaining cleanliness in their respective areas and creating awareness among people and in their homes."

Shivakumar said he will be travelling abroad for a week on a personal visit. To a question about the agenda of his trip to the USA and whether he will be meeting any big personalities there, he said, "it is a personal family trip.... no one, I'm going on a personal basis."

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Etawah (UP), Sep 16: BJP's Etawah MLA Sarita Bhadauriya fell onto the railway tracks while vying to wave the green flag for the Agra-Varanasi Vande Bharat Express here on Monday.

Purported videos of the incident surfaced on social media.

The incident occurred amidst a crowded platform as the train arrived around 6 pm. The 61-year-old second-term BJP lawmaker was among a host of people holding the green flag as they stood at the platform, the video showed.

Following the virtual inauguration of the Vande Bharat train by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the train, numbered 20175, was flagged off by the Rail Minister Ravneet Singh Bittu from Agra.

When contacted by PTI, BJP's Etawah unit treasurer Sanjeev Bhadauriya said, "The MLA was helped off the track and she then waited for some time at the platform for the flag-off event."

"Later she consulted doctors and is resting at her home now. She did not suffer any visible physical injuries. If there is any internal injury, it is yet to be confirmed," Bhadauriya said.

The train made stops at Tundla before arriving at Etawah station. Upon its arrival, a commotion ensued on the platform as various political figures, including Samajwadi Party MP Jitendra Douwhare, former BJP MP Ram Shankar, and current MLA Sarita Bhadauriya, gathered to participate in the flag-off, the videos showed.

As the train's horn signalled its departure, the platform became chaotic with supporters jostling for position. In the ensuing melee, the MLA was pushed off the platform and she fell onto the railway tracks in front of the train, it showed.

The train was stopped in time by bystanders, preventing a major accident. Bhadauriya was quickly rescued from the tracks by the police and taken to the hospital, according to eyewitnesses.

Talking about the operation date for the Vande Bharat Express, PRO Prashasti Srivastava from the Agra division of the railways said that the date will be announced soon.

The train will cover the distance between Agra and Varanasi in approximately seven hours. The return train will operate as number 20176 from Varanasi to Agra, while the Agra-Varanasi service will be number 20175.