Bengaluru’s HBR Layout residents brace for floods again as drains remain clogged

Bengaluru: With the monsoon approaching, anxiety is once again mounting among residents of HBR Layout and surrounding areas such as Sai Layout near Hennur-Bagalur Road, long known for recurring flooding after heavy rains. Despite high-profile visits by chief minister Siddaramaiah and deputy chief minister DK Shivakumar following last year's inundation, residents say little has changed on the ground.Many households continue to bear the financial and emotional burden of repeated flooding. "I spent over Rs 20,000 last year repairing my car twice. Water entered our home on May 18, damaging appliances like our refrigerator. Given the slow pace of work, we expect the same situation this year," said Ravi R, a resident of HBR Layout 5th Block.The situation is particularly distressing for families with elderly and ailing members, residents noted, adding that the problem has persisted since 2017 without lasting solutions.A key concern remains the poor maintenance of the rajakaluve (stormwater drain). While a 400-metre stretch from the Outer Ring Road up to HBR Layout 19th Main is better maintained, the nearly 2-km stretch leading to the railway crossing at Geddalahalli is choked with garbage and debris. This section, especially the bottleneck near the railway line, has been identified as the primary cause of overflow, leading to flooding in Sai Layout and upstream areas of HBR Layout.Residents also flagged administrative issues. The drain falls under the jurisdiction of two city corporation zones and overlaps two Assembly constituencies—Sarvajnanagar and KR Puram—leading to coordination gaps. "There is a lack of coordination in addressing civic issues, even though political leaders come together during elections," said resident V Pichandi.Concerns have also been raised about delays in infrastructure projects. The construction of a sewage treatment plant (STP) intended to serve HBR Layout has been significantly delayed. Originally slated for completion in Dec last year, the deadline has now been pushed to Oct 2026. Residents fear this delay will exacerbate flooding and sanitation issues.A group of around 25 residents has written to the Bangalore Water Supply and Sewerage Board (BWSSB), urging authorities to expedite the STP project before the onset of the monsoon.As the rainy season nears, residents say immediate desilting, debris clearance and better coordination between agencies are critical to prevent yet another year of flooding.Desliting in 10 days: North corpnBengaluru North City Corporation commissioner Pommala Sunil Kumar assured that the desilting of the remaining stretch of the stormwater drain will be completed in 10 days. "We are actively getting the rajakaluves desilted and paying contractors only after receiving drone images," he said. Kumar added that the wide drains towards Geddalahalli need long-boom excavators for desilting and that the same will be arranged soon.