Bengaluru: The new BBMP Commissioner, M Lakshminarayana, spent his Sunday visiting a drain in the Padmanabha­nagar ward, where one particular 30 meter retaining wall has collapsed onto the road for the third consecutive year!

On Saturday, the newly-instated civic body chief monitored the extent of the damage caused in the city by the monsoons and deputed rescue forces. The retaining wall, which collapsed onto the road, obstructed the movement of traffic and caused inconvenience to nearby residents. Luckily, no loss of life, injuries or damage has been reported.

Even one day after the heavy downpour, the water has not been cleared from the roads, making commuting a nightmarish experience for motorists. The BBMP engineers not managed to clear the shoulder drains. The failure to desilt tertiary and secondary drains before the onset of monsoon has led to the overflowing of drains across the city.

The commissioner directed the concerned engineer to clear the debris shortly, failing which people using the service road near the drain would be affected. He also directed the engineers to start building the retaining wall within two days.

After learning that some stretch of drain has weakened, Mr Lakshminarayan directed the engineers to prepare an estimate. He directed his officials to gear up for emergencies and to take all the necessary precautionary measures. It looks as the monsoons are keeping Lakhsminarayana on his toes!