Palike's work on SWD remodelling too late, too little

Unscientific drain structures, encroachments cause flash floods in the city; result in destruction

 The BBMP has learnt no lessons from rain-related floods of the past. There are 633 stormwater drains (SWDs) measuring 856 km in the city.

The BBMP started the work to remodel SWDs and fence them in 2004, but so far it could complete only 142 km. Recently, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah performed the groundbreaking ceremony to remodel 192 km of SWDs at an estimated cost of Rs 700 crore. Still, 522 km SWDs need to be fenced.

Most rain-related mishaps take place near lakes and SWDs, but no measures were taken to fence them and remove constructions within their buffer zones. Even the shoulder drains prove dangerous as they are not properly covered or the damaged slabs are not replaced.

A former Palike engineer associated with the project told DH he had identified 233 vulnerable points and had emphasised that these points must be covered urgently to prevent flooding.

“All my recommendations were consigned to the dustbin. The fallout of trashing my recommendations is there for everyone to see. There is one more rain-related death, while flooding and waterlogging happen in many parts of Bengaluru,” said the engineer.

He pointed out that there were three major challenges in remodelling drains. “There is absolute lack of political will. After the flooding in Electronics City last year, some efforts were made. But by and large, the lackadaisical attitude remains in the administration,” he said.

The engineer said the two other problems were land issues and lack of funds. “It is the land-related issue, mainly encroachment by the high and the mighty, which is holding back the political masters from taking tough decisions,” he said.

SWD expert A S Kodandapani lamented that noted engineer Ashwathnarayana’s report on SWDs is gathering dust, despite paying him lakhs of rupees for consultancy.

“Palike never has the practice of looking at the contour and slope, while remodelling SWDs. Engineers in BBMP do the work only to fill their coffers. Such shoddy job causes accidents,” said Kodandapani.