BBMP audit report of 13 underpasses in Bengaluru reveals 3 vulnerable to flooding

B.S. Prahlad, Chief Engineer (Road Infrastructure), BBMP, who is carrying out the health check-up of the underpasses, said he has recommended a slew of measures which will be implemented immediately

A file photo of fire personnel trying to rescue 6 persons who were stuck in a vehicle, which was submerged in K.R. Circle underpass, following heavy rains, in Bengaluru on May 21, 2023. Of the trapped persons, a 23-year-old techie could not be saved. | Photo Credit: Murali Kumar K

The Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) completed the audit of 13 underpasses and flagged three U-shaped underpasses as vulnerable to flooding. There are a total of 53 underpasses in the city.

B.S. Prahlad, Chief Engineer (Road Infrastructure), BBMP, who is carrying out the health check-up of the underpasses, said he has recommended a slew of measures which will be implemented immediately. A few measures suggested by his team are the installation of boom barriers to restrict movement of vehicles during heavy rains and construction of drains for free flow of rainwater. For other underpasses, BBMP has suggested clear silt as a precaution to avoid possible flooding.

It may be recalled that BBMP started the audit of these structures after a 23-year-old techie died after a multipurpose utility vehicle in which she was travelling along with family drowned in flood water at K.R. Circle underpass. The rainwater, which flowed from four roads converging at K.R. Junction, flooded the underpass as the gratings were choked due to fallen dry leaves and branches that fell due to gusty winds, according to the BBMP. 

Audited underpasses

1. KR Circle Underpass
2. Mehkri Circle Underpass 
3. Underpass at Cunningham Road-Sankey Road junction 
4. Underpass at C.N.R. Rao Circle in front of IISc.
5. Underpass at Anandnagar, Hebbal
6. Railway underbridge at Cantonment 
7. Railway underbridge at old NH-7, Yelahanka
8. Underpass at BEL Junction-ORR, Kuvempu Circle
9. Underpass at ORR-Gangamma Gudi Circle
10. Railway underbridge near R.M.V. Layout
11. Railway underbridge at Nayandahalli 
12. Railway underbridge at Kodigehalli
13. Underpass near Kaveri theatre 

Vulnerable underpasses

1. K.R. Circle underpass
2. Underpass at Cunningham Road-Sankey Road junction 
3. Underpass near Kaveri Theatre

Key measures to prevent any untoward incident

• Installation of boom barriers 
• Vertical clearance gauge beam
• Closing roof of Up and Down ramps of underpass using galvanised coloured sheets to stop rainwater from falling through the roofs 
• Putting transparent fibre plastic in between sheets (every 3 metres) for penetration of light
• Laying humps on either side of the underpass 
• Installing surveillance cameras