Torrential Rains in Bengaluru Leaves Working Class Families in the Lurch
Bengaluru has been experiencing torrential rains for the past few weeks, thus rendering several thousand working-class families in the lurch due to submergence of their houses. Many areas in Bengaluru have been inundated in rain water owing to encroachment of lakes and rajakaluves (storm water drains) by illegal construction sites, lack of urban planning and STPs and apartments pumping out water from their premises into these nearby working-class areas. Neither the BBMP, nor the state government authorities have paid any heed to the dire circumstances of these slum residents.
Be it Bellandur, Munekolalu, Brookefield, Doddanekkundi or Kodigehalli, the Mahadevapura zone of Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike has been the worst-hit due to these incessant rains. The workers living in these areas are predominantly engaged in solid waste management, including powrakarmikas, auto drivers/helpers, rag pickers, construction workers, domestic workers, daily-wagers, among others, who make substantial contribution in building the city. However, their plight has been met with nothing but contempt.
Several complaints have been filed by the affiliate unions of All India Central Council of Trade Unions (AICCTU) with the BBMP and state government authorities in regard to the situation in these areas and to ensure temporary shelter arrangements, provision of free ration, bedsheets, clothing, among other facilities, along with compensation for all the loss sustained due to submergence of all their household items, including electronic items, two-wheelers, ration, utensils, clothes, etc. In many cases, the submergence of the working-class areas has occurred due to the lackadaisical attitude of the nearby apartment complexes, who, despite requests, pumped out the water logged in their premises, including the STPs into the nearby working class areas, thus causing extreme hardship to the working-class families. However, no action has been taken against these erring apartment complexes for the same.
In the past two decades, over half the city’s greenery has disappeared, with lakes, storm water drains, etc., being encroached primarily by real estate projects to build apartments and office blocks, whereas parks and other green spaces have been destroyed to “relieve” unprecedented traffic congestion, and land-use policies have converted agricultural lands into real estate projects. All these real estate projects, including developmental projects such as Metro Rail, flyovers, underpasses, etc., involve felling of trees and therefore, a heavy loss of greenery. Therefore, India’s “garden city” which is famous for its salubrious climate is now suffering from these torrential rains and flooding caused by both climate change and lack of inclusion of working class needs in urban planning; and the ones suffering the most due to these corrupt urban planning exercises are the working class of Bengaluru.
The CPIML has demanded that the State Government immediately announce relief packages to all the residents who have been affected by the Bengaluru rains and provide shelter with food, free rations and basic facilities such as clothing, bed-sheets and mattresses. The government must also ensure health services at the shelters. Special care must be taken for the nutritional and other needs of children, pregnant women, mothers with small children, senior citizens, persons with disabilities, among other vulnerable groups. BBMP/State Government must provide financial assistance to the families to rebuild their houses, with immediate compensation of Rs. 50,000/- per family to be disbursed as disaster compensation. The Karnataka State Disaster Management Authority must immediately declare "Guidelines for Immediate Relief" under Section 19 of the Disaster Management Act, 2005 providing for, among others, compensation for all the loss sustained by the families. Allotment of free houses/house-sites to all workers, including powrakarmikas, auto drivers/helpers, rag pickers, construction workers, domestic workers, all daily-wagers etc., and extension of Griha Bhagya housing scheme to them.
