HSR Layout braces for another waterlogging this monsoon

The Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike's failure to clear the drains and repair the roads before the monsoon would spell more trouble for the residents of HSR Layout.

Water stagnation on the streets of this posh neighbourhood is a constant problem with the arrival of each monsoon and residents fear the situation would not be any better this time around.

Losing faith in the civic body, locals have pretty much taken matters into their own hands. A few of those living in Sector 6 on 7th Main Road decided to build temporary concrete barricades outside their compounds to stop water from entering their homes.

Anita Kamath has plans to put up a two-foot barricade. "Water enters our basement parking area and damages the cars," she said. "Barricades would also save us from the strenuous exercise of pumping water out of our parking lot."

Last year, severe flooding at Lawrence English School on 9th Main Road brought water levels to the first floor, and the school is at the risk of facing the same issue this year, too.

School chairman Subbaiah Mandappa said the BBMP was working to create cross drains and raising the height of the footpath by 1.5 feet. "This would only aggravate the situation," he said.

"If the footpaths and the drains are higher than the road level, water would overflow. Even a slight block in the main drains would cause stagnation, backflow and overflow in the network of drains," he said.

'Poor infrastructure'

Kodandaramiah, joint secretary, HSR Residents' Welfare Association, said the underground drainage system had not been functioning in Sector 6. "The situation continues to be worse," he said. "Rain has started, but the infrastructure continues to be in a poor condition."

Another resident, Sheela Gautham, said the drains had been laid three feet above the road level. "Holes have been drilled to allow water to flow into the drains. But when the water level rises in the drain, it will begin to overflow."

The BBMP said Rs 25 crore worth of projects were carried out to solve the waterlogging issues. "We're working to remodel the drains and culverts, while also increasing footpaths and road levels, wherever required. The BBMP has made a disaster management plan for HSR Layout," area assistant engineer Muralidhar said, refusing to elaborate on the scheme.