Remodel stormwater drains to prevent flooding in Bengaluru: CM Bommai
Bengaluru, Nov 24: Karnataka Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai on Wednesday directed civic officials to complete 30 km of major stormwater drains in Bengaluru by the end of January, to increase the carrying capacity and avoid flooding after many parts of the city were inundated in the recent incessant rains.
Talking to reporters after chairing a meeting with Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike officials on the flood situation, he said the need to immediately widen and repair Stormwater Drains to increase their carrying capacity to avoid flooding in low lying areas downstream of the lakes in the city, was discussed.
"The present stone-lined SWDs need to have RCC lining. The SWDs in outskirts of the city have mud-lining, which has to be turned into RCC canals. They also need to be widened. Action is needed to remove obstacles at many places for smooth flow of flood waters," Bommai said.
He said the city has about 842 km of SWDs across the four valleys of Vrishabhavati, Hebbal, Challaghatta and Koramangala. Of this, 415 km of SWDs have been remodeled and permission granted to take up works for another 75 km in 2019-20.
There are 94 critical spots which needs to be rectified, Bommai said, adding that he has instructed that these works be completed in two months.
The Chief Minister also directed that work on 51 km of primary drains and 38 km of secondary drains be taken up immediately. In this regard, BBMP special commissioner was instructed to prepare a Detailed Project Report for this project, which would cost Rs 900 crore, he added.
Bommai also said he had instructed the BWSSB Chairman to expedite completion of underground drainage works taken up in many layouts with the objective of providing a permanent solution to flooding.
According to him, about 2,626 encroached structures have been identified on SWDs, of which 1,480 have been cleared, while legal action has been initiated to evict 714 structures.
The operation would be carried out without causing inconvenience to the poor by giving them time, while action would immediately be taken against big builders, who had encroached, he said.
The Chief Minister also visited a few rain affected areas in the East Bengaluru on Wednesday.
ಬೆಂಗಳೂರು ನಗರದಲ್ಲಿ ಅತಿವೃಷ್ಟಿಯಿಂದ ಉಂಟಾಗಿರುವ ಹಾನಿಯ ಹಿನ್ನೆಲೆಯಲ್ಲಿ ಮುಖ್ಯಮಂತ್ರಿ @BSBommai ಅವರು ಇಂದು ಬೃಹತ್ ನೀರುಗಾಲುವೆಗಳಿಗೆ ಸಂಬಂಧಿಸಿದಂತೆ ಬಿ.ಬಿ.ಎಂ.ಪಿ ಕಚೇರಿಯಲ್ಲಿ ಸಭೆ ನಡೆಸಿದರು. (1/2) pic.twitter.com/ltjAPG02IG
— CM of Karnataka (@CMofKarnataka) November 24, 2021
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345 Indian fishermen stranded in Iran return home via Armenia
New Delhi (PTI): A group of 345 Indian fishermen, who were stranded in Iran amid escalating regional tensions, returned to India via Armenia on Saturday, officials said.
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar thanked his Armenian counterpart Ararat Mirzoyan for assistance in return of the Indian nationals.
The Indian nationals arrived in Chennai this evening, the officials cited above said.
The circumstances that led to them being stranded in Iran were not immediately known.
"Thank FM @AraratMirzoyan and the Government of Armenia for facilitating the evacuation of Indian fishermen today from Iran, through Armenia to India," Jaishankar said on social media.
Over 1,500 Indian nationals have left Iran through land border crossings in Armenia and Azerbaijan since the start of the West Asia conflict over a month ago.
"A group of Indian fishermen, stranded in Iran, are returning home via Armenia today; their flight is expected to reach India this evening," a government statement said.
It said the Ministry of External Affairs continues to closely monitor the evolving situation in the West Asian region, with the safety, security and welfare of the Indian community being accorded the highest priority.
It also made a mention of five Indians being injured in Abu Dhabi on Friday.
According to Abu Dhabi authorities, the Indian nationals were among the 12 people injured by debris from an intercepted missile.
"In an attack in Abu Dhabi, five Indian nationals were injured; four have been discharged, one remains under treatment," the Indian government's statement said.
It said the Indian mission in Abu Dhabi is extending "full" assistance and coordinating with local authorities, adding that their flight is expected to reach India this evening.
