The thundershowers of Tuesday left MG Road and Brigade Road flooded much to the surprise of commuters, who are not accustomed to such inconvenience in these premier locales. While it is usual for low-lying areas to be flooded in a downpour, this year even Brigade Road, MG Road, Commercial Street and Cubbon Road were filled with water in what was by any estimation, torrential rain.
Urban planner, George Kuruvilla blames poor planning by the BBMP and even poorer supervision of contractors employed to keep roads flood-free, for the mess. Although storm water outlets are supposed to be linked with the drains running beneath the walkways, the work is often shoddily executed, he says. “A few years ago, when the drains and footpaths were built, the BBMP and contractors failed to do the simple thing and provide storm water outlets every 40 feet on the arterial and sub-arterial roads. BBMP engineers who should inspect the work done by the contractors and ensure it is of good quality, clearly didnt do their job either. The apathy of officials in holding the contractors accountable for the work done leads to a nightmarish situation during the rains every year,” he claims, maintaining that even MG Road, Brigade Road, Cubbon Road and Commercial Road lack storm water connectivity to the drains.
“This is why rain water stagnates, causing great inconvenience to motorists and pedestrians. With potholes buried under water, accidents too become more frequent this time of the year,” he observes, strongly advising BBMP engineers to make sure that shoulder drains and rain water outlets have metal screens to prevent paper and plastic from clogging them.
But BBMP commissioner, M. K. Shankarlinge Gowda blames Namma Metro work for the recent flooding on some of the roads in the city. “MG Road had never been flooded before. The water is not draining off this time only because the cambering of the road has been damaged by the Metro work,” he says.