GBA chief orders swift inter-agency fixes

Chief Commissioner of the Greater Bengaluru Authority (GBA) M. Maheshwar Rao on Monday directed multiple civic agencies to coordinate more closely and urgently address infrastructure gaps across the city, from water leakage and unsafe construction sites to unused electric poles and abandoned vehicles.

Mr. Rao informed officials that ₹200 crore has been allocated under the disaster management funds for repairing roads, lakes, and storm-water drains that were damaged during the monsoon, and instructed each corporation to prepare a list of works and begin repair work.

He further instructed the Bangalore Water Supply and Sewerage Board (BWSSB) to identify water leakage points in the GBA limits, including stretches where water is seeping out of manhole chambers.

He said that the BWSSB must seek road-cutting permission through the given software without delay and complete repairs on a priority basis.

Mr. Rao also directed the Bescom to clear electric poles that remain on footpaths despite underground cabling being completed. He added that transformers placed on footpaths should not obstruct pedestrian movement and must be properly maintained.

Taking note of the slow pace of the metro construction on Ballari Road, Mr. Rao instructed the BMRCL officials to speed up the work and ensure adherence to deadlines.

To clear abandoned and junked vehicles from public spaces, the city corporations have been asked to procure towing vehicles. Two such vehicles have already been purchased in the Central Corporation limits. The Chief Commissioner said the corporations must work with the traffic police to tow abandoned vehicles and identify dedicated parking spaces for them in each jurisdiction.

The Traffic Police Department has also flagged several bus stops that were contributing to congestion.

Mr. Rao said these details should be shared with the city corporations, which must inspect the locations and shift bus stops wherever necessary.