From Our Special Correspondent

Daijiworld Media Network

Bengaluru, Sep 13: Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai on Tuesday informed the Legislative Assembly that Rs1800 crore has been sanctioned for the development of Rajakaluves in different parts of the city by removing encroachments to avoid the flooding problems in future.

He said as many as 633 Rajakaluve run covering 859.90 km in various constituencies in Bengaluru City and 2 to 3 years will be required for solving the problem.

Replying to a question from Congress member Krishna Byre Gowda during the question hour, Bommai said an order has been issued to install sluice gates for 160 lakes in the city for management of flow of water.

"About 450 km of Rajakaluve work has been completed in the past 20 years. Rs 1500 crore had been set apart in the budget and additionally earmarked Rs 300 crore for development of Rajakaluves. Tenders for work had been finalised but work had been delayed owing to continuous rains," he said.

The IT corridor in the City came under water owing to breach of lakes in Mahadevapura and Varthur.

Moreover, he said 110 villages had been added a decade ago to the BBMP.

A master plan has been redrawn for developing lakes in the city, Bommai said.

BJP member Aravind Limbavali, who represents Mahadevapura constituency, urged the Chief Minister not to stop demolition of properties located on encroached Rajakaluves.

Byre Gowda said the amount set aside in the budget had not been spent so far and demanded more funds to his Byatarayanapura Constituency for development of the Rajakaluve.

The Chief Minister said Rs 407 crore had been sanctioned to the Byatarayanapura constituency in the last one year.

He also directed the Congress member to utilize funds sanctioned under Amruta Yojanae for development of storm water drains.