Clogged rajakaluves raise concerns of pollution and flooding in Bommanahalli ward no. 175

Sowmya Raju | NT

Bengaluru: Bommanahalli, ward number 175 of the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP), is a developing area in the south-eastern part of Bengaluru.

Bommanahalli is situated on the banks of the Koramangala valley and is surrounded by other developing suburbs such as Electronics City, HSR Layout, and Bellandur.

Bommanahalli has been experiencing growth in recent years owing to its proximity to IT hubs and other commercial areas.

This growth has led to increased land prices and encroachment of land by developer

Encroachment of water bodies

Due to the lack of clear land titles, many landowners do not have proper documentation of their land, which makes it easy for developers to encroach on their land.

The encroachment of lands in Bommanahalli has several negative consequences. It leads to the loss of green spaces, the displacement of people, and the deterioration of the environment.

The residential buildings that were constructed on these encroached lands are easily prone to floods and water pollution. One resident, who lives in a one-room house at the bank of the lake, said that she and her neighbours had no idea that their land was encroached on when they moved almost a decade ago and they have nowhere else to go.

The houses around the lake are frequently prone to flooding even after small rains. A recent incident involved the unfortunate shooting of a leopard that had wandered into the local area, prompting residents to claim that this was a result of land encroachment.

They expressed their concern about encountering leopards, but only in circumstances where direct contact was possible, contrasting with the authorities' assertions.

According to the residents, leopards typically do not pose a threat to humans unless they feel cornered or threatened by a crowd. The transformation of the Kudlu area, from a once-village surrounded by forests to urbanising region extending into the city, has led to animals like leopards encroaching upon human habitats in search of prey, said Shripathi Prabhu, a resident.

Clogged rajakaluves

The Kudlu Doddakere Lake in Bommanahalli is a 45- acre waterbody that is essential to the local ecosystem. However, the lake is under threat due to the dumping of debris into the stormwater drain.

The debris includes construction waste, household and plastic waste. It blocks the flow of water to the lake and prevents it from recharging. The pollution and clogging of stormwater drains can lead to the spread of diseases, and the contamination of drinking water, and groundwater.

It can also make it difficult for rainwater to percolate into the ground, which can lead to water shortages. When stormwater drains are unable to handle the volume of water flowing into them, the water can back up into the streets and other areas.

This can cause flooding in basements and other lowlying areas. Raghavendra B. Pacchapur, an activist said, “State should consider the rajukaluves as their property and protect it It is being neglected and has become a bane.”

He added how rajakaluves need good management and cleaning regularly.

Footpath encroachment and illegal commercialisation

Pedestrian pathways in the ward are often occupied by street vendors selling fruits, vegetables, and other items.

Illegal parking is also a major problem on pedestrian pathways and the side of the road. This makes it difficult for pedestrians to walk and forces them to walk on the road, which can lead to traffic congestion and accidents.

The lack of enforcement by the local authorities is one of the reasons for the occupation of pedestrian pathways by street vendors and illegal parking.

Many residents of Bommanahalli have become accustomed to seeing street vendors and illegally parked vehicles on pedestrian pathways, and they view it as a normal part of life and are also unaware of the solutions to this problem. The few public parks that exist in Bommanahalli are in poor condition.

They are not well-maintained and lack basic amenities such as playgrounds, benches, and drinking water facilities. The lack of public parks is a major problem for children in Bommanahalli. It deprives them of safe and healthy places to play and exercise.

This can have a negative impact on their physical and mental health. Shripathi Prabhu a resident shared that the residents have recogonised land in the area to construct a park to the District Commissioner, but no action has been taken yet.