BBMPs apathy claims one more life

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posted on 13 years ago — updated on 1 second ago

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BANGALORE: While 12-year-old Aravind Kumar's death due to drowning in a storm water drain has still not faded from public memory,..

BANGALORE: While 12-year-old Aravind Kumar's death due to drowning in a storm water drain has still not faded from public memory, the storm water drain has claimed another life. The Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) has yet again failed to ensure safety measures at the remodelling of Storm Water Drain (SWD).
According to a witness, the victim, a 50-year-old labourer, was trying to cross the drain when the incident took place in Kumbaragundi near Silver Jubliee Park police station took place. He was a ragpicker, who collected plastics for living. The witness said, "He was crossing the drain lugging a bag on his shoulder when he slipped and fell into the ditch next to the storm water drain."

According to the local corporator Dhanraj, repeated requests to the engineers from the SWD wing were not heeded. He said that the drain is dug up for repair since three months, but no progress has been reported till date. Even two days ago, many people had requested the engineers to provide safety measures. Dhanraj alleged that BBMP has not maintained transparency. He said that even the corporator was kept in darkness about the project details and cost.

Reportedly, the remodelling of the drain is being done at a cost of `55 lakh. The body of the coolie has been shifted to Victoria Hospital for autopsy. The State Human Rights Commission (SHRC) had issued a notice to the BBMP commissioner following the incident. SHRC chairman Justice S R Nayak had directed the BBMP authorities to take action to prevent such accidents.