From Our Special Correspondent

Daijiworld Media Network

Bengaluru, Oct 22: Relief and rescue work in the severly rain affected areas is more important than my person visit, said Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar, who is also the Bengaluru Development Minister, in Bengaluru on Tuesday.

Speaking to media persons near his residence, he said the officials were busy in carrying out relief and rescue operations in all the rain affected areas during the last 48 years and his visit to the affected areas would slow down the work.

“I am personally monitoring the situation and relief operations,” he said explaining that if he were to pay a visit it would affect the work and cause problems.

Shivakumar dismissed the opposition’s criticisms for not his absence in the rain affected areas. “What can I do by making personal visits? I am constantly in touch with the officials and monitoring the situation. My visits will lead to media coverage and publicity. But my priority is not publicity but ensuring that relief operations are being carried out,” he said.

He said an high level committee have been constituted to review the situation, especially in low-lying and flood prone areas.

Shivakumar said that he too was caught in a heavy downpour on Monday evening while returning from Challakere and the flyover near Nelamangala was filled with two feet water.

As many as 5 SDRF and NDRF teams have been deployed and several families, particularly in Tatanagar have been shifted.

Some of the apartments in low-lying areas have been asked to be shut down for eight days as they have been water-logged.

Chowdeshwari Nagar, Dasarahalli and Mahadevapura zones have been severely hit due more than normal rains.