The relentless flooding plaguing Balagere and Panathur isn’t merely Mother Nature’s doing, say local residents. They firmly believe it’s a direct consequence of a stormwater drain, known as a ‘rajakaluve,’ that was so badly designed and constructed it now acts more like a water trap than a functional outlet.
Built between 2020 and 2021, this critical rajakaluve stretch is riddled with fundamental flaws. It lacks continuity, features numerous missing sections, and boasts a critically faulty gradient. Instead of guiding rainwater efficiently in a single direction, the drain tragically pushes water from both ends, creating an inescapable impasse. The result? Every downpour transforms the canal into an overflowing torrent, spewing a noxious mix of stormwater and sewage back onto residential streets and directly into people’s homes.
Adding to the chaos is a significant opening, which residents suspect is a manhole, bafflingly constructed directly within the rajakaluve itself. Though civic authorities have yet to confirm this, its presence raises serious questions.
The Enigmatic Manhole: A Problematic Diversion
During heavy rains, this mysterious manhole acts like a hungry maw, gulping down immense quantities of stormwater, along with discarded plastic bottles and other refuse. Residents and concerned civic activists highlight that this illicit connection diverts the deluge straight into a BWSSB sewage treatment plant (STP) — a facility designed exclusively for sewage, not stormwater management.
“Under normal circumstances, stormwater should gracefully bypass the STP and proceed directly into a designated lake,” explains Shwetha Rangaswamy, a vocal member of the Individual Taxpayer’s Forum (ITPF). “However, during heavy rainfall, millions of liters of water are forcibly channeled into the STP, pushing it far beyond its operational limits. When this crucial plant is overwhelmed, the consequence is disastrous: untreated sewage and stormwater are simply expelled into adjacent canals, completely undermining the entire purpose of the treatment process.”
Furthermore, many drains across the area have been haphazardly filled with mud, transforming them into makeshift pathways. Roadside culverts, intended to seamlessly connect to the main drain, remain unfinished. Despite substantial funds being allocated annually for maintenance, vegetation and silt have accumulated for years without proper clearing. This systemic neglect means water regularly stagnates in choked sections, a problem exacerbated by the drain’s perplexing lack of a defined endpoint.
Years of Neglect: Petitions, Protests, and Persistent Problems
Ms. Rangaswamy revealed to The Hindu that she filed a formal complaint with the Upalokayukta in January 2025. Her grievance challenged the audacious decision of the then-BBMP engineers to commence work on the drain without even bothering to complete a crucial land survey or obtain the mandatory Assistant Director of Land Records (ADLR) report.
Concurrently, Ravish K, a resident and a practicing advocate, took the fight to the High Court by filing a writ petition. He highlighted the persistent issue of long-standing encroachments on the rajakaluve, referencing a 2011 High Court order specifically demanding their removal and a 2023 ADLR report that clearly identified these illegal structures. Shockingly, Mr. Ravish contended that instead of adhering to the court’s directive, BBMP engineers forged ahead with piecemeal drain construction and even condoned attempts to build roads directly over the canal—a perilous move he warned could inevitably lead to catastrophic flooding.
“If the gradient had been engineered properly, water would simply not be flowing in both directions,” questioned Sudeep, another concerned resident. “Why was it constructed this way, if not for some underlying compromise?”
This isn’t a new concern. Just last year, residents launched an organized campaign, meticulously detailing their complaints and mailing them directly to the Chief Minister’s office, showcasing a history of unaddressed grievances.
Even high-ranking officials, including Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar, have visited and inspected the area repeatedly. Recently, the dangers became frighteningly real when a school bus carrying 20 children almost overturned on the treacherous Balagere-Panathur Road. Speaking to The Hindu, residents also shared harrowing tales of two-wheelers being swept perilously close to open drains, overflowing with septic tank sewage, during intense downpours.
“Give Us Our Tax Back, We’ll Build It Ourselves,” Demand Residents
Through the ITPF, residents are now taking a bold stance, demanding a full refund of the property tax collected from them. Their argument is simple: if the government can’t deliver, they’ll fund and manage their own civic infrastructure. “Millions are collected from this small stretch alone, yet the money simply vanishes, or worse, exacerbates our problems,” stated a frustrated Ms. Rangaswamy. “If the government is unwilling or unable to protect our lives or manage our hard-earned taxes responsibly, then give us our money back, and we will build our city ourselves.”