Unicaus NEWS
Constructed between 2020 and 2021, the rajakaluve on this stretch has no continuity; it has a number of lacking hyperlinks and a defective gradient. Instead of carrying rainwater in a single course, the drain pushes water from either side with no exit. Each spell of rain leaves the canal overflowing, forcing stormwater combined with sewage again onto the streets and into properties.
There can also be a big gap, which residents imagine is a manhole constructed contained in the rajakaluve. Civic authorities, nonetheless, didn’t affirm the identical.
An issue manhole
During the rains, this suspected manhole swallows big volumes of rainwater together with plastic bottles and rubbish that has been dumped. Residents and civic activists level out that the manhole then directs the move right into a BWSSB sewage remedy plant (STP), which is constructed to course of solely sewage.
There can also be a big gap, which residents imagine is a manhole constructed contained in the rajakaluve. Civic authorities, nonetheless, didn’t affirm the identical. | Photo Credit: ALLEN EGENUSE J
“In regular situations, stormwater ought to bypass the STP and move right into a lake. But throughout heavy rains, lakhs of litres of water are dumped into the STP, overwhelming its mounted capability. When the plant can’t cope, untreated sewage and stormwater are flushed out into close by canals, defeating the aim of remedy,” Shwetha Rangaswamy, member of Individual Taxpayer’s Forum (ITPF), a citizen discussion board, mentioned.
Moreover, drains within the space have been crammed with mud and become momentary pathways whereas roadside culverts that ought to have related to the principle drain had been left incomplete. Vegetation and silt haven’t been cleared for years, regardless of crores sanctioned for annual upkeep. Even as we speak, water stagnates in blocked stretches as a result of the drain has no clear finish level, she added.
Drains within the space have been crammed with mud and become momentary pathways whereas roadside culverts that ought to have related to the principle drain had been left incomplete, says citizen activists. | Photo Credit: ALLEN EGENUSE J
Petitions filed, complaints lodged
Ms. Rangaswamy instructed The Hindu that she had filed a criticism with the Upalokayukta in January 2025, questioning how (the then) BBMP engineers might begin work with out even finishing a land survey or acquiring Assistant Director of Land Records (ADLR) report.
Ravish Ok, a resident and a practising advocate, had additionally filed a writ petition within the High Court pointing to long-standing encroachments on the rajakaluve. He cited a 2011 High Court order directing their elimination and a 2023 ADLR report that recognized unlawful constructions. Instead of clearing these encroachments, BBMP engineers pressed forward with random stretches of drain work and even allowed makes an attempt to type roads throughout the canal, a step that might set off harmful flooding, Mr. Ravish argued.
“If the gradient was designed accurately, water might by no means move in each instructions. Why was it achieved this fashion until there was a compromise?” Sudeep, one other resident requested.
This will not be the primary time the problem has been raised. Last 12 months, residents began a marketing campaign, mailing complaints to the Chief Minister’s workplace.
Through ITPF, residents are demanding a refund of the property tax collected from them, arguing that they’d somewhat fund and handle their very own civic works | Photo Credit: ALLEN EGENUSE J
Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, Deputy Chief Minister D.Ok. Shivakumar and different civic authorities’ officers had additionally inspected the realm a number of instances. Recently, an incident the place a faculty bus carrying 20 kids practically toppled was additionally reported in the identical space. Speaking to The Hindu, residents additionally recounted incidents throughout downpours of two-wheelers being dragged in direction of open drains surrounded by sewage from septic tanks.
BENGALURU KARNATAKA 12/09/2025 : A faculty bus ferrying practically 20 kids fell right into a pothole on the Balagere–Panathur Road in Bengaluru on September 12, 2025. The kids needed to be rescued via the emergency exit. | Photo Credit: Special Arrangement | Photo Credit: TH
Return tax, can construct metropolis by ourselves: Residents to govt.
Through ITPF, residents are demanding a refund of the property tax collected from them, arguing that they’d somewhat fund and handle their very own civic works. “Crores are collected from this stretch alone, however the cash actually goes down the drain. If the federal government can’t safeguard our lives or use our taxes correctly, then refund our tax and we’ll construct our metropolis ourselves,” Ms. Rangaswamy lamented.
