BENGALURU: A Metro pillar placed directly within a crucial stormwater channel near Central Silk Board Junction has sparked a heated dispute between BBMP and BMRCL, after torrential rain caused widespread waterlogging, traffic gridlock, and residential flooding, leading to a flyover’s temporary shutdown.

Former mayor BN Manjunath Reddy criticised the Metro authorities for neglecting prior alerts. He stated that the pillar obstructed drainage from BTM Layout, forcing water into upscale localities like KAS Officers’ Colony and Dollars Colony. Adding to the damage was the absence of side drains near the under-construction Metro station, which escalated the flooding.

Transport Minister Ramalinga Reddy backed the claims, stating that a Metro column choked a natural water path near Madiwala. He has instructed officials to take swift corrective steps.

According to BBMP Chief Commissioner and BMRCL MD Maheshwar Rao, the Silk Board area forms a bowl-like depression, causing water to flow backward into the station during heavy rains. He added that the main drains are already overburdened and partially blocked, and secondary channels fail to ease the excess, making deluges inevitable.

BBMP Administrator Tushar Giri Nath noted that the existing drainage can’t manage runoff from KC Valley. He pointed to Metro columns built over drains, debris accumulation, and unlinked channels as key factors behind the crisis.

Officials now admit that a mix of temporary and long-term measures must be explored to prevent future disasters.