BENGALURU: Deputy chief minister DK Shivakumar, whose first meeting after being allocated the Bengaluru development portfolio last week was with BBMP officials, said his priority was to build a brand for the city, which is being hampered by multiple issues, including flooding.
Shivakumar told TOI on Thursday his team was working on long-term solutions to Bengaluru’s flooding and the government would rope in experts and other stakeholders to find the same even as measures are being put in place to handle the problem immediately.
“While I’ve already held meetings with BBMP officials to take stock of things, what we need is expertise beyond what they can provide,” Shivakumar said, adding that as an immediate measure, he has instructed officials to remain alert and is monitoring the situation personally as the city approaches another monsoon.
Stating that he has also sought suggestions from former Bengaluru mayors (from Congress) as they would have dealt with many of the issues first-hand, he said: “I met them on Thursday aside from meeting several other seniors to get their guidance.” “…I’ll be visiting some important stormwater drains – on Thanisandra Road, Mysuru Road, in Mahadevapura zone etc.,” he added.
On how Bengaluru is flooding despite its topography, he said he would meet experts who have conducted the study and present them an opportunity. “All scientific solutions are welcome. I request all stakeholders to present ideas to better Bengaluru. I’ll ask officials to work out a process to implement various solutions,” he said.
Shivakumar added his priority was to build Bengaluru’s image through administration and discipline. “We want to create a corporation (BBMP) that is citizen-friendly and we’ve begun the process of moving towards that goal. Citizens will see the change in the coming months,” he said.
On whether he would borrow from his mentor SM Krishna’s vision for Bengaluru, he said: “He has given me a book on the vision of Kempegowda. I am also meeting several other seniors to seek advice.”
Shivakumar told TOI on Thursday his team was working on long-term solutions to Bengaluru’s flooding and the government would rope in experts and other stakeholders to find the same even as measures are being put in place to handle the problem immediately.
“While I’ve already held meetings with BBMP officials to take stock of things, what we need is expertise beyond what they can provide,” Shivakumar said, adding that as an immediate measure, he has instructed officials to remain alert and is monitoring the situation personally as the city approaches another monsoon.
Stating that he has also sought suggestions from former Bengaluru mayors (from Congress) as they would have dealt with many of the issues first-hand, he said: “I met them on Thursday aside from meeting several other seniors to get their guidance.” “…I’ll be visiting some important stormwater drains – on Thanisandra Road, Mysuru Road, in Mahadevapura zone etc.,” he added.
On how Bengaluru is flooding despite its topography, he said he would meet experts who have conducted the study and present them an opportunity. “All scientific solutions are welcome. I request all stakeholders to present ideas to better Bengaluru. I’ll ask officials to work out a process to implement various solutions,” he said.
Shivakumar added his priority was to build Bengaluru’s image through administration and discipline. “We want to create a corporation (BBMP) that is citizen-friendly and we’ve begun the process of moving towards that goal. Citizens will see the change in the coming months,” he said.
On whether he would borrow from his mentor SM Krishna’s vision for Bengaluru, he said: “He has given me a book on the vision of Kempegowda. I am also meeting several other seniors to seek advice.”
