JOIN USA major section of drainage system in Bangalore, the Koramangala and Challaghatta valley (K&C) needs immediate attention in being cleared as roads get flooded with water and waste in the Bangalore south.
In 2008, with the objective of achieving zero sewage flow in the storm water drains, BWSSB launched the Environment Action Plan (EAP). Under the project, new sewer mains were to be laid at the four major valleys in the City – Hebbal, Vrushabhavathi, Koramangala and Chalaghatta (K&C). Pipelines measuring 100 to 1,600 mm were to be laid to ensure that sewage flows in these lines and not away from any storm water drain.
As per the updated status of these projects, of the 67.8 kms, nearly 51.3 kms of work has been completed spending Rs 253.4 crore of the total Rs 367 crore. But the major work of laying 1,600 mm dia pipelines over a distance of 4.8 kms from the National Games Village to the K&C valley is yet to be awarded. The work estimated at Rs 100 crore will also have a sewage pumping station and laying of additional pipelines in the area.
The relaying and re-designing of the underground drains is necessitated by the flow of excessive water on the roads causing floods, which in itself is a result of uncleared silt and sewage within the drains.
According to Bangalore Water Supply and Sewerage Board (BWSSB), nearly 40 per cent of the manholes are located inside the huge storm water drains or the rajakaluve. This has resulted in mixing of rainwater and sewage and flow in the storm water drain.
The project is meant to stop sewage from entering storm water drains and drinking water pipelines. It will also ensure that sewage is properly channelled to sewage treatment plants (STP) and can be treated for reuse. Most sewage treatment plants in the city operate much below their capacity as they receive low inflow because sewage leaks out of the pipes before reaching the STP.
The BWSSB complains that the public open the manholes during heavy rain to prevent water from flowing on the roads. In the process, garbage and solid waste get accumulated inside the underground drains leading to clogging and overflowing of manholes. According to a BWSSB official, it will take some time for the Board to identify places where EAP work can be carried out.
The Board is still surveying many locations in the City where manholes are located inside the storm water drains. Once the feasibility is explored, the project will roll out and estimations will be made, based on which work will be carried out.