Karnataka High Court rapping: Chief Secretary to hold BBMP meet every week

Bengaluru: Taking cognisance of the Karnataka High Court repeatedly rapping the BBMP for failing to resolve problems affecting the city, Chief Secretary Vijay Bhaskar has decided to hold weekly review meetings, instead of monthly or fortnightly meetings, to discuss civic issues.

The High Court had pulled up the BBMP for failing to clear hoardings that had become an eyesore, spoiling the aesthetics of the city, for not filling up potholes that had become death traps and not desilting drains that overflow during rains. Some of the wayward behaviour of the BBMP was set right only after the intervention of the High Court.

Till now, civic issues concerning all the 198 wards in the city were discussed once a month with senior IAS officers, who are deputed at all the eight zones. With the High Court slamming the BBMP and government over civic problems, Mr Bhaskar has decided to hold weekly review meetings to resolve issues before they grow out of proportion, said highly placed sources.

During the last meeting on October 5, Mr Bhaskar had discussed the condition of storm water drains and flooding of low-lying areas. He also took officials to task for spending more money than expected for remodelling drains. He was reviewing the drain works from Silk Board Junction to HSR Layout and from Garuda Mall to Bannerghatta Circle.

Mr Bhaskar directed the officials to prepare a realistic estimate of the drain remodelling work, instead of sending inflated proposals, which will impact BBMP's coffers, sources said.