Residents of Bengaluru raise a stink over sewage woes

Bengaluru: As the dry winter months set in following the monsoon, residents' welfare associations (RWAs) across Bengaluru are urging authorities to address persistent issues, including leaking sewage pipelines that disrupt daily life.

In Tilak Nagar, a 400-meter stretch of the main road has been severely affected by sewage mixing with stormwater drains, raising significant health concerns for over 600 residents in the area.

Members of the LIC/Canara Bank Colony and Hanumanthappa Layout RWA revealed that the problem of sewage contaminating stormwater drains has persisted for five to six years.

Although a new sewage pipeline was installed under the initiative of former Bangalore South MLA Soumya Reddy, damage to the pipeline behind the Tilak Nagar police station has worsened the issue.

Parameswaran TK, a resident of LIC Colony for over 40 years and secretary of the RWA, expressed frustration over delays in resolving the issue.

Sewage-mixed water in the stormwater drains at LIC Colony.

"I have approached the Bangalore Water Supply and Sewerage Board (BWSSB) chairman 12 times. A puja for a separate sewage line was performed in August 2024, but there has been no progress. The sewage has become a breeding ground for mosquitoes, making living conditions unbearable in Jayanagar 3rd Block East,” he said.

Responding to the complaints, BWSSB Executive Engineer (South) Raghavendra CR stated that road-cutting approvals from the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) are pending and that work on the new pipeline will begin soon.

In a similar situation in Medahalli, a 500-meter stretch has been inundated with sewage water, emitting a foul odour, and affecting nearly 1,500 residents.

Hitesh Tripathi, joint treasurer of the Radiant Lake View Block C Owners’ Association, reported that the issue has persisted since April 2023.

“Stagnant sewage water has led to increased illness among residents, with dengue cases rising this year compared to previous years,” he said.

Another resident, Pratheek Acharya, described the area as unwalkable due to the pervasive sewage.

BWSSB Assistant Executive Engineer Venkataramanappa S explained that the problem is compounded by a reverse gradient in the area. “The apartment is at the lowest point along the stretch to Medahalli Junction. Sewage stagnates there and must be pumped to the wet well nearby. We are working to replace the existing pipeline with a larger one,” he assured.