Storm Water Drain (SWD) canal construction work that halted abruptly about six months back at Belathur in Whitefield has now resulted in waterlogging, causing inconvenience to the residents living in the area.
The Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) however argued that they were helpless as the works were stopped due to litigation. It should be noted that in over 118 survey numbers the civic body was unable to carry out anti-encroachment drive due to litigation.
The construction of the drain here was started in October, 2022, to channel rainwater to avoid flooding during monsoon.
Navneet Pai, a resident talking to The Hindu said, “As there were no drains in the vicinity, the residents were pursuing the BBMP for the last five years to lay drains. Although the SWD department commenced work recently, the same was stopped, further prolonging the problem.”
Mr. Pai said that during heavy rainfall, the residents are forced to stay indoors due to inundation of roads. If one ventures out, people have to wade through knee deep water.
Three apartments bear the brunt
The residents of at least three apartments are bearing the brunt of incomplete drain works. The water stagnating at a nearby empty site and drain now is a hotbed for mosquito breeding.
A BBMP official said some apartments in the area are built encroaching rajakaluve which is a root cause of the problem. In absence of drains the water is now flowing into a vacant site. The problem can only be resolved after taking anti-encroachment measures.
