Bengaluru, with the onset of the southwest monsoon, faces a severe challenge in its infrastructure, particularly the poorly maintained railway under bridges (RUBs) that have become hazardous spots for commuters and pedestrians alike. The city’s roads are increasingly vulnerable due to widespread waterlogging exacerbated by slow municipal responses, creating significant traffic disruptions, especially at “magic box” RUBs notorious for their flawed design.
One such example is the underpass in Kasturi Nagar, which, during heavy rains, suffers from severe waterlogging compounded by debris and plastic waste clogging roadside drains. This situation poses a safety risk to residents like Kalpana, who fear navigating through these underpasses with her son due to the high water levels that take hours to recede, despite efforts by BBMP workers.
The problem extends across several other areas including Okalipuram, KR Puram, Dooravani Nagar, Doddanekundi, Seshadripuram, Banaswadi, Lingarajapuram, and Marathahalli, where similar issues persist. Residents and commuters lament the inadequate drainage infrastructure and narrow design of these underpasses, which often lead to severe traffic congestion and prolonged delays during the monsoon.
Ajith, a local resident, vividly describes the chaos at the Panathur underpass, where ambulances and vehicles alike struggle to navigate through flooded roads, exacerbated by reckless driving and non-compliance with traffic rules.
Last year’s tragic incident at KR Circle underpass underscores the urgency for improved maintenance and redesign of these structures. Despite efforts to install rainwater harvesting systems and automatic pumps, challenges persist due to the sheer volume of debris and poor drainage planning.
