The 840-km long SWDs, both primary and secondary, play a significant role in recharging groundwater by feeding it to the lakes in the City. However, in the recent days, the encroachment of these SWDs has resulted in flash floods in the City. In view of this, the State government has decided to remodel SWDs under the JnNURM.

However, former mayor P R Ramesh alleges that the plan is a failure and the City will lose its water sources. “Most of the localities in the City are dependent on groundwater, especially, the CMC areas which are now included in Bruhat Bangalore Mahanagara Palike. But the project for remodelling SWDs take the water 50-60 km out of the City limits. This is bad planning,” he said.

He further adds that though there are not many lakes in the City, it does not mean that water cannot be recharged in the City. The State Government should identify some pockets, especially where lakes stood earlier, for recharging the groundwater, he suggests.
Interestingly, the study conducted by the scientific community too points out how the SWDs are being encroached upon and mismanaged in the City. While some are encroached and reduced to smaller size, some others are used as a dumpyard for solid waste. Many others are filled with weeds and silt.

Flooding at Banashankari, Varthur, Madivala and Nayandhalli during rains has been attributed to the encroachment of SWDs. Encroachment has reduced the size of drains at Nagarvara, Seshadripuram and Malleswaram.
DH News Service