Flooded underpasses continue to be death traps

BBMP faces criticism for underpass flooding in Bengaluru, prompting remedial actions and maintenance contracts for key areas.

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In May 2023, a 23-year-old tech professional lost her life when the car she was in got submerged at an underpass near K.R. Circle. The underpass is located near Vidhana Soudha, the seat of Karnataka’s government. This tragedy shocked the city, sparking questions about the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike’s preparedness for the monsoon season.

The BBMP has faced criticism for its failure to implement solutions to such civic infrastructure problems. Many of the city’s underpasses continue to flood during heavy rains. While the BBMP has taken some preventive measures, such as closing underpasses during heavy rainfall, little progress has been made in addressing the underlying issues that cause flooding.

Over the past four days, several key underpasses, including those at Okalipuram, Panathur railway, and Madiwala Ayyappa Temple, were submerged for hours.

Last year, the BBMP’s Road Infrastructure Department conducted an audit covering 41 underpasses, yet flooding remains a common problem. The city has 53 underpasses, 35 of which are for vehicles, and 18 are for railway underbridges (RUBs). These structures come in two primary designs: L-shaped and U-shaped. The U-shaped underpasses, such as the one at K.R. Circle, are particularly prone to flooding, as water accumulates rapidly at the lowest point, with grates serving as the only drainage system. This design flaw renders the underpasses dangerous even during moderate rainfall.

Commuters regularly express their frustration. Ravi Kumar said, “I had to take a much longer route because the Madiwala Ayyappa Temple underpass was flooded, with cars stuck in the water.”

Manoj M.N., another commuter who often uses the Okalipuram underpass, said, “We constantly worry about getting stuck. It feels like the BBMP hasn’t learned from past incidents.”