BBMP's Stormwater Drain Cleanup: 2,344 Encroachments Removed in Two Years

The Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) has been actively removing stormwater drain encroachments in the city. As of May 20, the civic body has cleared 2,344 such encroachments.

According to BBMP data, there are a total of 4,316 encroachments in the city. Mahadevapura tops the list with 1,726 encroachments. In the past two years, officials have managed to clear 1,203 encroachments in this zone.

A total of 523 encroachments remain pending for removal, while 97 cases are currently in court. The BBMP’s legal cell is working to resolve these to continue the drive.

There are 3,182 old encroachments and 1,134 new ones marked between August 28, 2023, and May 20, 2024. However, no newly-marked encroachments have been cleared yet, with 1,972 still pending removal.

A BBMP official stated that the civic body is working rigorously against structures built on drains. These encroachments are a major cause of flooding in Bengaluru, especially in Mahadevapura.

Legal challenges also pose a hurdle for the BBMP. According to the stormwater department, 187 drain encroachments are pending in court, including 151 old cases and 36 new ones. Despite resolving 1,785 cases, the civic body has yet to remove these encroachments.

BBMP Chief Commissioner Tushar Giri Nath highlighted the impact of their efforts. "This has resulted in a reduction in the number of flood-prone areas. For instance, at Anugraha Layout, after drain work, the layout has become flood-free," he said.