Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah Acknowledges Infrastructure Failures Amid Heavy Rainfall in Bengaluru
Bengaluru, 25th October 2024: Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has acknowledged his government’s shortcomings in managing Bengaluru’s infrastructure during heavy rainfall. In response, he announced plans to secure a ₹3,000 crore loan aimed at implementing disaster management strategies for the flood-stricken city. After visiting the site of a collapsed under-construction building that tragically led to eight fatalities, Siddaramaiah stated, “Both past and present administrations have failed to create an infrastructure that can endure such extreme conditions. We will now allocate ₹3,000 crore for disaster management and necessary reforms.”
Siddaramaiah, along with Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar, has faced significant backlash from the public and the business community for overlooking pressing issues such as potholes, damaged roads, waterlogging, overflowing drains, and severe traffic congestion. “The government must be equipped to face nature’s wrath and effectively manage the consequences. Rescue operations are in progress, and we will take our responsibilities more seriously moving forward,” the Chief Minister promised.
The ruling Congress party is under scrutiny from opposition parties regarding the city’s infrastructure amid persistent heavy rains and flooding. Union Minister and former Chief Minister HD Kumaraswamy criticized the Congress government’s performance, remarking that Bengaluru now resembles Venice rather than the Singapore model they had pledged to achieve. “They promised to transform Bengaluru into Singapore, but instead, we are witnessing a Venice-like scenario where people are using boats to get around,” he noted.
The opposition BJP has also condemned the state government for the city’s pothole crisis. “Residents are expressing frustration over the Congress government’s inability to tackle the pothole situation. Dangerous potholes are prevalent in DCM DK Shivakumar’s ‘Brand Bengaluru.’ Minister Shivakumar, please make addressing Bengaluru’s challenges a priority,” the BJP Karnataka unit posted on X.
