Namma Metro Construction Under Spotlight As Bengaluru Faces Waterlogging
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The situation worsened as the 9.9-km elevated expressway connecting Central Silk Board Junction to Electronics City became inaccessible, causing major traffic chaos.
Heavy rainfall in Bengaluru has caused waterlogging in areas such as Hosur Road, creating major difficulties for commuters.
The stretch between Silk Board and Rupena Agrahara has been closed due to flooding. Additionally, the 9.9 km elevated expressway between Central Silk Board Junction and Electronics City became inaccessible, resulting in widespread traffic disruptions.
The heavy flooding has sparked a blame game between the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) and Bengaluru Metro Rail Corporation Limited (BMRCL). Former Bengaluru mayor BN Manjunath Reddy has accused the ongoing Namma Metro construction at Silk Board Junction of causing waterlogging in the area.
'BMRCL engineers should be held accountable for the mess at Silk Board. A pillar was erected at the point where water from BTM Layout joins major stormwater drains, blocking the flow. This obstruction caused flooding in Dollars Colony, KAS Officers' Colony, and Silk Board quarters," he said, as reported by the Times of India.
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Reddy also claimed that no shoulder drains were provided near the metro station at Silk Board, worsening the waterlogging. He accused the authorities of inaction despite his raising the issue over two months ago.
Transport Minister Ramalinga Reddy has accused the Namma Metro of blocking drainage on the Madiwala side. 'They built a pillar blocking the natural flow of water. Instructions have been issued for immediate remedial action," he said, as quoted by TOI.
BBMP Chief Commissioner and BMRCL MD, Maheshwar Rao, offered a different explanation for the waterlogging near Silk Board Junction. He stated that a 'reverse flow of water" occurs near the station, creating a 'saucer" effect. When the stormwater drain (SWD) fills up due to heavy rainfall, water is pushed back into the station. 'When the primary drain is completely full and the secondary drain cannot take the excess load, flooding becomes inevitable," he said.
Rao claimed that a team will be created to discuss solutions with the additional chief secretary, such as assessing whether the drain capacity can be increased. 'We'll look at options to manage both primary and secondary systems. In the meantime, we'll continue to explore temporary solutions," he added
The BMRCL had constructed a Metro station for the RV Road to Bommasandra route at the Silk Board junction. The Namma Metro is currently working on the Blue Line Metro as well as a connecting ramp between HSR Layout and BTM Layout.
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