Heavy rain flooded several parts of Bengaluru on Sunday, with Telecom Layout in Jakkur being the worst-affected. The city recorded a downpour of 13.4 mm and HAL airport 41.9 mm, resulting in severe waterlogging.
“Houses across the layout (10th-16th cross) have been severely affected. The stagnation of sewage and drain water was first observed in Telecom Layout about a decade ago,” said Radha, a resident.
The sewage treatment plant and other utilities in the layout were taken over by the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) in 2017–2018. Soon after that, the storm-water drain, which is solely intended to convey surface run-off, was overrun because the civic body allegedly neglected the plant, especially during the monsoon season.
The sewage treatment plant in the layout was connected to the sewage system of Srirampura village, situated on higher ground. This led to an additional overflow, which brought all of the waste and excrement into Telecom Layout through the storm-water drain.
The campus of the Jawaharlal Nehru Center for Advanced Scientific Research in Jakkur (JNCASR), a central institute, which was previously traversed by storm-water drains from Telecom Layout and Srirampura, allegedly obstructed the exit pipes. The sewage water that was previously flowing via the storm-water drains is now without a place to go, resulting in flooding during the peak monsoon season. The wastewater contains fecal matter.
Layout residents also complain that the BBMP and the Bangalore Water Supply and Sewerage Board have been negligent.
The waterlogging issue is also connected to the widening of a Rajakaluve undertaken by the JNCASR. “The sludge deposits inside the campus in the adjoining area have no place to go, making the entire area a health hazard,” said Vishwanath, a resident. He said his garage had been flooded five times in the past seven years, resulting in extensive damage to his cars.
During his visits to the JNCASR, former chief minister Basavaraj Bommai had instructed the BBMP to address the Rajakaluve issue, acknowledging that numerous residential layouts and buildings had been built on water channels and drains.
Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar, who is also the Bengaluru development minister, assessed the situation during a visit. He blamed developers, saying the layouts had not been designed suitably. Promises to make amends have also been made, yet to no avail.
“It’s highly risky to step out during the rains. There have been wild snakes spotted in the area and during monsoons, the water is at the knee level, leaving absolutely no visibility. Two years ago a body was recovered from the drain. The police investigation in the matter is underway,” said Aruna, another resident.
As power outages and heavy damage to properties raise further concerns, residents want an immediate solution to the crisis.