Bengaluru: “On days of heavy rains, we used to see snakes and rats entering the road from overflowing drains. Thanks to BBMP’s efforts, we don't see reptiles anymore, but suffer due to mosquitoes. There has been relief after the model drain works have started, but we are yet to benefit from this,” said Siddapa, president of Concorde Layout Residents’ Welfare Association in Rajarajeshwari Nagar.
After identifying 147 vulnerable, flood-prone drains across the city, the BBMP is building model drains to curb flooding during monsoons.
During an inspection of the newly-built model drains in Bommanahalli and Rajarajeshwari Nagar zones, Chief Engineer Ananthswamy (storm water drains), said, “Most of the residents in low-lying areas face difficulties during monsoons as the drains overflow. Rain water mixed with sewage flood hundreds of homes overnight. In a bid to end this misery, the model drain has been conceptualized on a pilot project basis.”
He explained, “Two separate pipelines are installed on either side of the storm water drains which ensure that sewage does not enter the drains. The drains are de-silted and retain walls are constructed so that the burden on the drains is reduced, while the flow of water is not disturbed. In some of the areas like Akshay Nagar, MLA Layout, Concorde Layout, Krishnappa Garden and others, residents are already feeling the difference.”
While a model drain is operational in Kembathalli-Gottigere in Bommanahalli zone, works are in progress to construct similar drains in Gottigere-Hulimavu, Begur-Agara lakes in the same zone. In Rajarajeshwari Nagar zone, the BBMP has de-silted drains in Concorde Layout and near Global Village Tech Park, and these too will be developed into a model drain.
The BBMP will develop 14 model drains in Bommanahalli zone and 19 drains in Rajarajeshwari Nagar. Ananthswamy highlighted that these drains were the brainchild of IISc students and they would present a paper on the success story.
The BWSSB will be entrusted with the works of maintaining the sewage pipelines, Ananthswamy added.
