Bengaluru saw a series of significant civic developments in 2024, alongside some tragic incidents. Key milestones included the completion of the Cauvery Stage-V water supply project, the implementation of a One-Time Settlement (OTS) scheme for property tax, white-topping of major roads, and the rising toll of illegal, faulty constructions.
As the year concludes, the 110 villages newly integrated into the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) can finally breathe easy, as their long-standing demand for a reliable water supply and sewage network was met with the completion of the Cauvery Stage-V project by October. This project, which pumps 775 MLD of drinking water to Torekadnahalli in Mandya, brought much-needed relief. However, a looming water tariff hike was announced, due to financial pressure on the Bangalore Water Supply and Sewerage Board (BWSSB), as stated by Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar.
In April, Bengaluru introduced a One-Time Settlement (OTS) scheme, offering long-time tax defaulters reduced interest rates. This initiative resulted in a record Rs 4,284 crore in property tax collections by November 30. Additionally, BBMP launched the ‘e-khata’ initiative, a digital system aimed at reducing reliance on brokers, which facilitated the distribution of 61,000 e-khatas over two months.
The BBMP also invested Rs 1,800 crore in white-topping 157 km of city roads. However, environmentalists raised concerns over the potential impact of this concretisation on groundwater recharge.
Meanwhile, on June 2, Bengaluru recorded a staggering 111 mm of rainfall, breaking a 133-year record. The heavy rains led to severe flooding, particularly in areas like Kendriya Vihar Apartments and Sai Baba Layout, requiring rescue efforts by the NDRF, fire services, and BBMP personnel.
Read also