In an unexpected turn of events, residents of Vidyaranyapura found themselves grappling with unnecessary disruption and financial burden when a contractor, employed by the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP), initiated unrequested drain construction in their locality. The residents, who had not lodged any complaints about waterlogging or road conditions, were taken by surprise when earthmovers and workers appeared at their doorsteps.
The BBMP had decided to construct a drain to facilitate the flow of rainwater to the nearest stormwater drain, ostensibly to prevent potential flooding or water stagnation. However, this decision seemed ill-conceived to the residents, who had not experienced such issues in the past. The construction activities led to the digging up of the vacant space between buildings and roads, resulting in significant collateral damage.
A particularly distressing consequence was the damage to electric cables during the excavation. This mishap left several residents without electricity and forced them to incur expenses to replace the damaged cables. “There are some localities in Vidyaranyapura vulnerable to flooding and water stagnation whenever it rains heavily. I have been residing here for 28 years. There was no waterlogging or flooding on this road all these years,” remarked a homemaker. She added, “The contractor used earthmoving equipment for digging the roadside drain, resulting in damaging electric cables, thus compelling us to spend around Rs 18,000 to replace the damaged electric cable. We spent money as there was no electricity supply to our house.”
The lack of prior communication from BBMP authorities exacerbated the residents’ frustration. They were neither informed of the impending construction nor consulted about its necessity. Many residents are now uncertain about whom to approach within the BBMP to address their grievances. One long-term resident, who has lived in Vidyaranyapura for three decades, voiced a common sentiment: “There was neither waterlogging nor flooding here whenever it rained heavily all these years. It will serve the purpose if the BBMP authorities engage contractors to construct drains at localities that are known for waterlogging and flooding. We did not ask the BBMP authorities to construct the roadside drain here.”
The incident underscores the importance of proper planning and communication in municipal projects. While the BBMP’s intent to prevent future flooding is commendable, the execution in Vidyaranyapura raises questions about the necessity and impact of such projects in areas that do not suffer from waterlogging. Residents are calling for the BBMP to focus resources on regions with genuine flooding issues and to ensure that future projects are carried out with minimal disruption and adequate consultation with the affected communities. The lack of foresight and communication in this case has not only caused unnecessary inconvenience but also financial strain on the residents, who now seek accountability and better management from the municipal authorities.
