Bengaluru's Nagawara flooding is a man-made disaster: Official report

Bengaluru: A detailed government study investigating the causes of flooding in Nagawara and the surrounding areas has found that there is no existing drain to channel out rainwater into the main stormwater drain which leads to Kalkere Lake. 

The 12-page report has also brought to light extensive encroachments to the natural flow of water across 146 square kilometres of rainfall catchment area, of about 20 per cent of the BBMP jurisdiction. 

The study, which has proposed two man-made stormwater drains to fix the flooding problem, was conducted by IAS officer Munish Moudgil, who is now the Principal Secretary (Disaster Management) at Revenue Department. It follows a recent visit by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and his deputy D K Shivakumar, to the flood-hit areas. 

A major stormwater drain connects Nagawara Lake and Kalkere Lake, which is situated on the north of the area that frequently floods. The solution to prevent flooding lies in enabling the water to drain into this stormwater drain, the report underlines but there is none. Reason: encroachment of about 15 km of inter-connecting stormwater drains, which were found in the village map of 1958 but no longer exist now. 

On top of these 15 km of missing lines, which have been encroached upon by private entities such as Manpho, Embassy Manyata Business Park, Ebisu Tech Park etc, the report also notes that the state government sold a landlocked kharab land to Karle Infra Tech Ltd under the Karnataka Land Revenue Act, 1964, and as per the 2020 amendments. This sale, which raises doubts, has permanently ruled out the possibility of linking the major stormwater drain with the flood-affected area. 

Solutions

Recognising that flooding in the area is a man-made disaster, the report has suggested the construction of two artificial drains to restore water flow and minimise the damage. While noting that the new drains are not as per the revenue records, the officer has recommended that all private companies, including Manyata and Karle, provide their land free of charge and also construct the new drains. 

“This is proposed as their private constructions have led to waterlogging and flooding,” Moudgil said. 

The report also rejects the proposal put forth by Embassy Manyata Business Park to pump out the flood water, stating it is inadequate and ineffective for long-term flood mitigation. 

The report has also found lapses on the part of the Karnataka Industrial Areas Development Board (KIADB) and planning authorities like the Bangalore Development Authority (BDA) which approve layouts, industrial parks and building plans without taking into account water drains systems and their flows. “Even the water drains which exist in the revenue maps have been ignored by these authorities. As a result, construction has come up on those drains. This is not allowed under the law,” the report states.