Environment authorities write to BMRDA for extending buffer zone rules about stormwater drains

Bengaluru: Environment authorities have written to the Bengaluru Metropolitan Region Development Authority (BMRDA) on the possibility of extending the buffer zone rules regarding the stormwater drains to the outlying areas of Bengaluru, pointing to the rapid urban expansion in the areas outside the limits of Bangalore Development Authority (BDA).

The State Environment Impact Assessment Authority (SEIAA), which provides clearance to residential, commercial and industrial projects, took note of the high number of development projects in the peri-urban areas outside the land in BDA limits that are governed by the masterplan.

During the recent meeting of the SEIAA, Chairman B Guruprasad raised the matter of BDA limits having nala SWD buffer zone for lakes, primary and other drains. The revised masterplan sets a 30-metre buffer zone around the lakes while the primary, secondary and tertiary SWDs have a buffer zone of 50m, 25m and 15m.

“Considering the water scarcity issues and also flooding issues due to the recent adverse rainfall events around Bengaluru, it is resolved to write to the concerned authorities to ensure uniform/reasonable buffers in terms of larger interest of water sustainability and prevention of flooding in Bengaluru in future,” the chairman said.

Guruprasad said the Principal Secretary, Environment Department, has been told to raise the issue with the BMRDA.

“We are seeing two extremes of scarcity and flooding in the peri-urban areas. In some cases, the buffer zone around nalas was three metres and nine metres. These areas will become part of Bengaluru as it expands. Ideally, these areas need to have a wider buffer zone compared to the core city.” he said. BMRDA Commissioner Rajendra P Cholan said, at present, the authority was following Karnataka Urban Development Act.

“We will look into the matter raised by the SEIAA once the communication is received,” he said.