INTRO: The Greater Bengaluru Authority wants to revive some of its flood-mitigation functions through a new initiative to create floodable landscapes across Bengaluru city.
CH NEWS BENGALURU
Byataguntepalya in Northeast Bengaluru, Saneguruvanahalli in West Bengaluru, and Nandi Shettappa in South of the city are names most Bengaluru residents are unlikely to recognise today. These were once lakes that disappeared under layouts, parks, and other development works.
Under the GBA’s Climate Action Cell initiative, 19 disused lakes across the city have been identified for intervention. Of these, eight have been completely encroached upon or have been diverted for layouts, stadiums, and parks, while some land is still available in the other lakes.
Floodable landscapes are areas designed to temporarily store rainwater during heavy rainfall and release it gradually after the rain subsides. Apart from lakes, other prominent flooding points have been identified for the project.
The Silver Jubilee Park near KR Market is one such spot. As per officials, around 2 acres within the park will be developed as a floodable landscape capable of holding excess rainwater for up to 48 hours. They stressed that the park’s existing use will remain unchanged and that the designated area would be unavailable only for short periods during heavy rainfall.
The concept also includes the use of bioswales, which are shallow landscaped channels designed to redirect stormwater and slow its flow. J Nithya, GBA’s Executive Engineer currently with the Climate Action Cell, said, “By increasing the time taken for run-off to move through the drainage system, bioswales allow more water to infiltrate the ground and reduce the risk of flooding. Such interventions can be implemented even in lakes that have already been converted into parks,”
A senior GBA official involved in the project said the approach draws inspiration from traditional water-management practices that have existed in the region for centuries. “These are nothing but modern terminologies for ancient practices of storing run-off rainwater in agricultural ponds,” he said. The initiative gained momentum when the World Bank team mandated nature-based solutions as a key disbursement-linked indicator under its urban resilience programmes, he added.
The initiative comes as the city continues to experience frequent waterlogging episodes during periods of intense rainfall. Rapid urbanisation, shrinking natural drainage systems and the loss of wetlands have reduced Bengaluru’s capacity to manage stormwater effectively, placing increasing pressure on roads, neighbourhoods and civic infrastructure. Floodable landscapes are designed to temporarily store and slow down rainwater during heavy downpours before gradually releasing or absorbing it.
BOX
Key details of initiative
Disused lakes & their present conditions: Of the 19 disused lakes under GBA corporations; 8 have been converted into layouts and housing projects; 5 have become playgrounds, parks, and stadiums; 6 contain encroachments, while some still have vacant land with restoration potential.
Target areas: The GBA has identified 19 disused lakes across Greater Bengaluru’s five corporations for intervention, including specific sites like Lingarajapuram, Dyataguntepalya, Chikkalsandra, and Ittamadu.
Site selection: Many of these historical catchment zones have been heavily encroached upon or converted into layouts, parks, and stadiums. This initiative seeks to utilize the remaining vacant lands within these zones as nature-based sponges.
Project goals: Rather than relying solely on concrete drains, these spaces are designed to absorb runoff, manage water safely, and act as recreational community parks during dry periods.
Broader flood resilience efforts
Budget allocations: The floodable landscape project is tied into a broader Rs 28-crore climate action plan launched by the GBA, which focuses on urban greening and ecological restoration.
World Bank funding: The city is also backed by the Karnataka Water Security and Resilience Programme (KWSRP), an initiative heavily funded by the World Bank to rebuild storm-water drains (SWDs) and mitigate climate risks.
Citizen and research involvement: Independent organizations like the Bengaluru Sustainability Forum are running mapping initiatives, such as “Stormwater & the City,” to allow residents to audit flooding issues locally.
QUOTE
The initiative will be implemented over the next two years. The specifics on costs are still being estimated. We are confident of receiving funding for the project.
Maheshwar Rao, GBA Chief Commissioner