Let’s build Bengaluru together: K’taka Dy CM to Oppn leaders

Bengaluru: Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar on Saturday called upon Opposition leaders from the city to join hands in building a better Bengaluru.

Shivakumar, who is also the Bengaluru Development Minister said “Let’s leave our politics at the booth levels and join hands to build a better Bengaluru,” while addressing elected representatives of all political parties representing the city, who cutting across party lines participated in the ‘Public Voice-Government Voice’ programme at Vidhana Soudha here to discuss the Greater Bengaluru Governance Bill and issues concerning the capital city.

“There is nothing to be worried about the Greater Bengaluru Governance Bill. The copy is available with you and you can examine every word of it. We have taken all possible steps to ensure a better future for Bengaluru city. Let’s debate and we are open to take your feedback. We have decided to form a House committee on the Greater Bengaluru Governance Bill,” he said.

“Electoral politics is over. There might be ideological differences. Let’s put all of that aside. We need your advice for the development of Bengaluru,” he said at the meeting.

“Former Prime Minister Vajpayee had long ago emphasised the dignity and importance of Bengaluru at the world level. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has also said it many times. So, let us work together to retain the dignity and honour of Bangalore,” the deputy chief minister said at the meeting.

The ‘Brand Bengaluru’ has taken a severe beating due to its crumbling infrastructure, especially during rains. On May 21, a 22-year-old techie’s death in a waterlogged underpass after a short spell of heavy rain put the spotlight back on the civic apathy.

A recent report by property consultancy Knight Frank India, showed that Bengaluru needs approximately 658km of major stormwater drains to be constructed in line with the rate of the city’s expansion and population influx to curb the risk of urban flooding.

During the meeting, Shivakumar directed officials to install CCTV cameras at all the underpasses in the city, and said that a monitoring team will be set up to work round the clock to address the issues, a Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike official aware of the matter said, requesting anonymity.

“MLAs also suggested maintenance of trees, especially those that are old and prone to be being uprooted during rains, across the city. Since there is less staff in the horticulture deparment, some legislators also suggested the need for more officials to address this,” said the BBMP official.