Flood relief works underway at 22 sites in Bengaluru with World Bank support

BBMP Chief Commissioner Maheshwar Rao reviews city issues, orders action on footpaths, illegal buildings, and junction development

Bengaluru

Flood mitigation work is currently underway at 22 locations in Bengaluru under the World Bank-funded project, BBMP Chief Commissioner Maheshwar Rao informed officials during a review meeting of development works in the city.

These 22 sites are among the 53 flood-prone areas identified across BBMP limits. While issues have already been resolved at four locations, Rao stressed the need to complete pending works at the remaining 27 sites swiftly. He instructed officials to take temporary preventive steps wherever required to ensure residents are not affected during heavy rains. However, the BBMP in the press release did not mention the names of 22 sites. 

In the same meeting, Rao directed that integrated development plans be drawn up for key traffic junctions in the city. He noted that while improvement works have begun at some junctions, many still require coordinated planning to ease congestion and improve commuter safety.

Cracking down on unauthorised constructions, Rao asked officials to take strict action against builders violating sanctioned plans. He instructed them to coordinate with BESCOM to disconnect power to such properties and follow up with legal measures.

On land acquisition, especially for public infrastructure like flyovers and underpasses, he urged zones to accelerate the Transferable Development Rights (TDR) process. He also asked officials to list out required parcels and engage with landowners to acquire them quickly for ongoing civic works.

Property tax collection was another area of focus. Of the ₹6,256 crore target for 2025–26, BBMP has so far collected ₹2,966 crore. Rao instructed all eight zones to intensify their collection efforts, especially by pushing the use of e-khatas and monitoring them closely for accuracy and compliance.

To improve pedestrian safety, officials were told to identify and restore 20-kilometre stretches of continuous footpaths in each zone. Encroachments on these pathways should be removed and routine maintenance must follow redevelopment.

Rao also stressed the importance of road safety, directing engineers to promptly fix potholes, especially on arterial and sub-arterial roads. He called for swift redressal of complaints received through BBMP’s road monitoring system.

Further, he ordered that footpath and stormwater drain cleaning be carried out consistently on the second and fourth Fridays and first and third Saturdays of each month across all zones.

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