Copious rain exposes poor sewer network

BWSSB says residents make a mess of rainwater, sewer lines

Incessant, copious rain coupled with an inadequate and crumbling drainage network has turned Bengaluru into a messy sight.

Waterlogging in low-lying areas and rainwater gushing into homes have made the lives of residents in many localities miserable.

The century-old underground drainage network seems to have finally given away. Unable to withstand the current capacity, manholes and sewer lines are gushing and foul water is forming puddles.

Manholes in HSR Layout Sectors 6 and 7, Shanthinagar, Wilson Garden, Shivajinagar, MG Road and Cunningham Road have been overflowing and have not been addressed by the Bangalore Water Supply and Sewerage Board (BWSSB) even a month after they were brought to its notice by the public.

The stretch from Shanthinagar bus stand towards the Richmond Circle flyover is the best example. Road users, especially two-wheeler riders, suffer every day. The manhole water flows down the road and since the sewage lines are blocked, the road gets flooded.

“You can literally see water gushing from the manhole. Officials need to know the sad state of Bengaluru by travelling on these roads. It’s disappointing these issues are not being addressed,” said K M Nagaraj, a traveller.

The case of HSR Layout Sector 6 and 7 is pathetic. Even after several complaints were registered with the BWSSB, the problem remains unattended. Almost every manhole overflows during heavy rains.

When contacted, Kemparamaiah, chief engineer, BWSSB, had this to say: “The problem begins with the construction of homes. Residents connect rainwater pipelines from their homes and the sewage water pipelines to the manholes. This has caused the manholes to overflow.”

He added that the BWSSB was issuing notices to houses that have connected their rainwater pipeline to the manhole. It is asking the owners to separate the two and make a separate way for the water to flow. “We can file a criminal case against homeowners who do not heed our notices. We have been identifying the problem and issuing notices in all the 31 divisions in the city,” he said.