Armed with Rs 238 crore NDMF grant, BBMP plans 47 flood-mitigation works

Bengaluru: The Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) has proposed 47 projects, totaling Rs 247.25 crore, to provide structural solutions for flood-hit areas in the city.

The project is largely funded by the National Disaster Mitigation Fund (Rs 238.72 crore) as part of the Urban Flood Risk Management Programme (UFRMP), which was recommended by the 15th Finance Commission.

According to the action plan, most of the projects focus on stormwater drains, including the reconstruction of vents, redesigning retaining walls in flood-prone areas, creating percolation pits, and fencing drains to prevent the dumping of garbage. A total of Rs 75 crore has been earmarked for BBMP’s lake department.

The civic body recently finalised the action plan after consulting with the revenue department, which is overseeing the project. In January this year, the state cabinet had also approved the proposal. The BBMP will cover the differential costs.

The narrow water vents will be reconstructed in areas such as Vrishabavati Nagar on Summanahalli Main Road, near Kalyan Motors in Nayandahalli, Hosabalunagara, Pinnacle Apartment in Byatarayanapura, Rachenahalli Road, Veerannapalya, the 18th Cross of Jakkur, Yelachenahalli, MEI Colony bus stop, and the Ulsoor Main Road junction among others.

The BBMP has also proposed increasing the capacity of stormwater drains in areas like Doddabommasandra, Manyata Tech Park, Sarjapura Main Road, Munnekolalu, Spice Garden, Hoodi, Kariyammana Agrahara, Chinnappa Garden, and Broadway Bridge etc. 

Funds have been allocated for the development of eight lakes: Chikkabegur (Rs 10 crore), Hebbal (Rs 20 crore), Nagawara (Rs 20 crore), Chikkabellandur (Rs 10 crore), Kalkere (Rs 2.5 crore), Arekere (Rs 2.5 crore), Ulsoor (Rs 4 crore), and Sompura (Rs 6 crore). Some of the works will include the construction of wetlands, sluice gates, and de-silting. This is the largest grant the lake department has received in a long time.

BBMP’s Engineer-in-Chief, BS Prahallad, said that all of these projects are flood-mitigation measures. “We have proposed works to remove obstructions that block water flow in stormwater drains. This includes reconstructing vents and building cement walls where earthen walls currently exist,” he explained. He also mentioned that the Karnataka State Natural Disaster Management Centre (KSNDMC) was consulted before finalizing the works.

The project is expected to be completed within a year.