Maheshwar Rao directs disaster management teams to stay alert as Bannerghatta Road repair works face a deadline
Bengaluru: Ahead of the monsoon season, Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) Chief Commissioner Maheshwar Rao has directed officials to remain fully prepared for disaster management operations across the Greater Bengaluru Authority (GBA) limits and ensure immediate emergency response during heavy rainfall situations across the city.
The instructions were issued during inspections of monsoon preparedness parades conducted at Bannerghatta Road and Shalini Grounds in Jayanagar under the Bengaluru South City Corporation limits on Sunday.
The preparedness exercises are being organised under the direction of D. K. Shivakumar, who also serves as Bengaluru City Development Minister. Officials stated that division-wise monsoon preparedness parades are being conducted across all city corporations to assess the readiness of manpower, machinery and emergency systems before the onset of heavy rains.
BBMP Disaster Management Teams Ordered to Stay Prepared
During the inspection, Maheshwar Rao instructed all disaster management teams to work in close coordination and effectively utilise available resources during emergencies. He stressed that all precautionary measures must be completed before the arrival of the monsoon season.
He also directed permanent control rooms in respective city corporations and temporary subdivision-level control centres to respond promptly to public complaints during the rainy season.
“All disaster management teams must function in coordination and ensure no untoward incidents occur during the monsoon,” Maheshwar Rao instructed officials during the preparedness review.
Earlier, a similar preparedness parade had been conducted at BGS Grounds under the West City Corporation limits. The latest inspection covered the joint parade organised by Jayanagar and Padmanabhanagar divisions under the South City Corporation.
Monsoon Preparedness Parade Showcases Emergency Equipment
The parade included demonstrations and operational assessments of AMC teams for stormwater drain cleaning, disaster management squads, tree-cutting teams, tractor and silt-clearing teams, patrol vehicles, machinery operators and gangmen deployed for monsoon duty.
Officials inspected the functioning of emergency tools and equipment used for rain-related operations and disaster response management across Bengaluru.
Equipment displayed during the parade included:
- JCB and Hitachi machines
- Patrol vehicles
- Water pumps of varying capacities
- Silt disposal tractors and compactors
- Tree and branch-cutting machinery
- Garbage collection and shredding machines
- Weed-cutting equipment
- Stretchers, ladders and rescue tools
- Ropes, gloves, gumboots and reflector jackets
Authorities were also instructed to intensify cleanliness drives by clearing roadside drains, gratings and surrounding waste accumulation. Immediate repairs of damaged slabs and curb stones on footpaths were also ordered.
Bannerghatta Road Repair Works Ordered to Be Completed Within 10 Days
During the inspection, Maheshwar Rao also reviewed ongoing pipeline works being carried out by Bangalore Water Supply and Sewerage Board near the Indian Institute of Management Bangalore on Bannerghatta Road.
Officials observed that delays in road restoration and poor-quality reconstruction had caused sections of the road to cave in, resulting in severe traffic disruptions.
Strict instructions were issued to the BWSSB to complete high-quality repair and reconstruction work within 10 days. Authorities were also directed to prevent sewage water from flowing into roadside drains and ensure proper underground drainage management systems.
After BWSSB completes its pipeline works, the civic body will undertake asphalting and footpath restoration works along Bannerghatta Road. Officials were instructed to complete all pending works within the stipulated timeline to avoid inconvenience to commuters and pedestrians.
During the inspection, Satish Reddy, South City Corporation Commissioner K.N. Ramesh, Additional Commissioner Naveen Kumar Raju, senior engineers and other officials were present.
