KG Layout sitting on a floodplain? So say allottees

Kempegowda Layout allottees say the BDA has given them sites in low-lying areas that will be prone to flooding during rainfall. Some say their plots are surrounded by what looks like a lake or stormwater drain.

Most of the sites in the residential colony's Block-4, between sectors E and F, are in a low-lying area and surrounded by water. Among people who have got sites here are allottees of Arkavathy Layout which is mired in denotification cases.

Mahesh, an allottee, says the site allotted to him is right next to a waterbody. "I cannot even access my site, let alone construct a home there. I lost a site when the Arkavathy Layout case was redone. After much delay, I got this site in Block-4 of Kempegowda Layout. I'm afraid I will lose this one, too."

Other allottees say they are confused about whether it's a lake or stagnant rainwater. They fear the BDA violated the National Green Tribunal's (NGT) rulings on maintaining buffer zones around waterbodies. Worse, the BDA is not answering their questions.

A few weeks ago, the BDA commissioner had promised to look into the matter of buffer zone violation but allottees say the civic agency's engineers had shown little.

Sanjeev Hosamani, another allottee, said that even if it was not a lake, the low-lying area and the stagnant water were a matter of grave concern. "The area will get flooded once it is developed. The BDA should have considered these aspects while forming the colony," he added.

Jayaraj, the BDA engineer concerned, maintained that it was not a lake but stagnant rainwater and sewage water. "There is a dispute with a farmer, and the land acquisition isn't over yet. The stormwater drain will soon be connected to the Challaghatta Valley. A bridge will then link the colony, and the water will be drained."

Herekere and Kommaghatta lakes are a little further away from this location. A 35-metre buffer from the stormwater drain is being maintained, he added.