‘Bengaluru Isn't Electronic City': BBMP Chief Defends Civic Body As City Reels Under Floods

News18

19-05-2025

Last Updated:
After Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw called for ELCITA to take over aspects of civic management, BBMP Chief defended his team's efforts and said Bengaluru's challenges are far more complex
Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) Chief Commissioner M Maheshwar Rao made it clear that while the IT capital's civic body is open to innovation and new technology to tackle the city's chronic flooding issues, comparing Bengaluru to a township like Electronic City is not appropriate.
'Any new form of technology that can help address Bengaluru's problems is welcome. But don't forget the size of the city and the complexities that come with it, compared to a smaller township. Bengaluru has a population of over 14 million," Rao told News18, responding to suggestions that BBMP should take a leaf out of the Electronic City Industrial Township Authority (ELCITA)'s playbook.
'In a controlled environment like ELCITA, things are different from Bengaluru city. We would be very welcoming of any innovations they have implemented. The availability of space and the nature of responses to companies under ELCITA are easier to manage than in a city dealing with a much larger number of stakeholders," he said.
'Obviously, the problems in Bengaluru are far more complex. I will not downplay the work ELCITA has done — in fact, I hope we can replicate their successes in the rest of the city. But Bengaluru is a city of 14 million. In ELCITA, the stakeholders and decision-makers are limited. Our canvas is much larger," Rao said.
Rao stated that Bengaluru is prepared for rainfall up to 65–70 mm, which is standard for most Indian cities. 'But Bengaluru saw the second-highest rainfall in the last decade — 104 mm in a single day," he explained.
He was responding to a post by Biocon Chairperson Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw, who suggested that ELCITA should be appointed to maintain all major industrial estates in Bengaluru and train BBMP officials to manage individual wards. 'Bengaluru's quality of living is becoming insufferable," she posted on X, tagging Rao and other officials.
Mazumdar-Shaw also shared a video posted by Mohandas Pai, who urged Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar to utilise ELCITA's expertise for managing the city.
Meanwhile, Rao was on the ground — quite literally — inspecting flood-affected zones in a tractor after an overnight downpour battered the city for over six hours between Sunday and Monday, bringing parts of Bengaluru to a standstill.
'Areas like Kengeri and Chowdeshwari Nagar saw more than 100 mm of rainfall. Koramangala recorded 96 mm, and HAL and Mahadevapura received 93 mm. Rainfall of such intensity in a short span causes these issues. Our teams have been working 24×7 to rescue stranded residents and clear inundated areas," Rao said.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a 'yellow alert' for Bengaluru until Friday, warning of more moderate to heavy rainfall with thunderstorms. The city remains on edge, once again caught in a cycle of rain, rage, and rescue.
Latha Sridhar, scientist at the IMD Bengaluru, said the city had received 10 cm of rainfall in the past 24 hours. 'The last time it rained this heavily was on 18 May 2022. The highest rainfall this season so far has been 15 cm," she said.
Among the worst-hit areas was Sri Sai Layout in KR Puram, where Rao had to wade through knee-deep water in a tractor. Residents were evacuated using boats and earthmovers after waist-high water entered homes.
Sai Layout has become synonymous with flooding, and officials say the core issue is its location — a low-lying former lakebed. Despite repeated interventions, the area continues to suffer.
'The main problem is that the nalla (drain) next to Sai Layout is at a higher elevation. It collects runoff from large parts of North and Northeast Bengaluru, but the old railway vents meant to carry water out are narrow and outdated," Rao explained.
The BBMP is constructing an additional railway vent at the Geddalahalli underpass to smoothen water flow. 'The work is delayed because it requires multiple clearances from the Railways, as the line runs underneath. It may take until the end of July or August to complete," a BBMP officer said.
'We're also setting up a jackwell and pumps to evacuate water even with 20–30 mm of rainfall. This area floods five to six times a year," Rao added.
He also pointed out that the civic body is waiting for permission to cut through a bund to lay a new drain, which could significantly ease the situation. 'Even with 100 mm of rainfall this time, very few places were affected. But Sai Layout continues to suffer because of structural and locational disadvantages," the officer said.
'The recurring problem in Sai Layout is structural," Rao reiterated. 'The area lies below the adjacent drain, and the narrow railway underpass prevents free water flow. We're coordinating with the Railways to widen the tunnel. The aim is to reduce both response time and turnaround during such incidents."
But residents are losing patience. During Rao's visit, an irate woman standing ankle-deep in water confronted him: 'The area is flooded, and you are coming now. What is your name?" Rao, seated on the tractor, replied calmly: 'Maheshwar Rao."
The deluge also claimed a life in Whitefield, where a 35-year-old woman named Shashikala died after a wall collapsed on her during the heavy rains.
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