Heavy rains have caused flooding in many parts of Bengaluru. ANI
Hyderabad:
As the scene of water-logging Bengaluru flashes on television screens, Telangana minister KT Rama Rao has sent a message to those making fun of the IT hub, saying “no Indian city is safe from the disastrous consequences of climate change”. .
The minister, popularly known as KTR, has called upon Union Urban Affairs Minister Hardeep Singh Puri to plan bold reforms in urban planning and governance to meet the challenges of rapid urbanisation.
For all those who are making fun of waterlogged Bengaluru:
Our cities are our primary economic engine driving the development of the states/country.
With rapid urbanization and sub-urbanisation, infrastructure is bound to crumble as we have not infused enough capital to upgrade it.
— KTR (@KTRRTS) 5 September 2022
“To all those who are making fun of the waterlogged Bengaluru: Our cities are our primary economic engine driving the growth of the states/country. With rapid urbanization and sub-urbanization, infrastructure is set to crumble. It is because we have not infused enough capital in upgradation. The same,” tweeted Telangana minister and chief minister K Chandrashekhar Rao’s son.
No Indian city (including the capital city of my state) today is safe from the devastating consequences of climate change
If India is to continue to grow, we need streamlined, consolidated capital allocation of the union and state governments along with radical improvements in infrastructure.
— KTR (@KTRRTS) 5 September 2022
“No Indian city (including the capital city of my state) today is safe from the disastrous consequences of climate change. If India is to continue to grow, we need a systematic, concerted effort by the union and state governments to radically improve infrastructure. Consolidated capital allocation is required,” he added.
I know some friends from Hyderabad will not like what I say
Because in the past, some leaders of Bengaluru had taunted us in similar situations
But if we have to grow as a nation, we have to learn from each other’s experiences and show the power of collective will.
— KTR (@KTRRTS) 5 September 2022
Calling for radical steps to address these issues, he said, “We need bold reforms in urban planning and governance. Get away from the conservative mindset and radical things. Clean roads, clean water, clean air and better Storm water management systems are not difficult to build.”
He said “some leaders from Bengaluru” have “taunted” residents of Hyderabad over similar situations in the past, but added that there is a need to “learn from each other’s experiences and show the strength of collective will”.
“I know some friends from Hyderabad will not like my words. Because in the past, some leaders from Bengaluru had taunted us in similar situations. But if we have to grow as a nation, we have to be a nation. -need to learn from others.’ experience and show the power of collective will,” he tweeted.
The remarks came after heavy rains lashed several parts of Bengaluru and brought normal life to a standstill. Kilometer-long traffic jams were reported and residents had to deploy boats to supply essential commodities.