(Water logged roads of Bangalore)
One good spell of rain is sometimes all it takes to turn several roads in Bengaluru into waterlogged stretches. While heavy rainfall can certainly put pressure on any city’s drainage system, there is another simple problem that deserves our attention—rainwater often has nowhere to go!
In many residential areas, rainwater simply collects on the road instead of flowing into the roadside drains. One reason is the way we cover the open drains in front of our houses. Residents understandably prefer to cover these drains with granite or concrete slabs. But there is one important element that is often overlooked: where does the rainwater on the road go?
When the drain is covered without providing adequate
openings or channels for rainwater to enter it, the water remains on the road.
What may appear to be a small modification in front of one house becomes a much
bigger problem when the same practice is repeated throughout an entire street.
Pedestrians are forced to walk through stagnant water, motorists have
difficulty identifying potholes, and water that remains on the road for long
periods can accelerate the deterioration of the road surface. Potholes, accidents
and inconvenience can follow.
There is another, less visible consequence. Rainwater is an
important part of the city's natural water cycle. If rainwater is prevented
from entering appropriate stormwater drainage systems and ultimately reaching
lakes or suitable recharge areas, we lose an opportunity to replenish our water
resources. Bengaluru already faces recurring concerns about groundwater levels
and water availability. A problem that begins as water on a street can
eventually become a problem of water beneath our feet.
So, a simple act of covering a drain—when done without
proper rainwater outlets—can contribute to several problems:
- Water
stagnation on roads
- Inconvenience
to pedestrians and motorists
- Faster
deterioration of roads and formation of potholes
- Increased
risk of accidents and injuries
- Reduced opportunity for rainwater to reach lakes and groundwater-recharge systems
So, what can be done?
The solution does not necessarily require every resident to
leave the drain completely open. Instead, covered drains should be designed
in a way that allows rainwater from the road to enter the drainage system
efficiently.
I have noticed some streets where properly designed
rainwater outlets have been provided at regular intervals. Such simple
arrangements can make a significant difference.
The civic authorities could consider developing standard
specifications for residential drain coverings and rainwater entry points.
Residents could be required to provide appropriately designed openings at
specified intervals, based on engineering requirements and the local drainage
design. The exact dimensions and spacing should be determined by qualified
engineers rather than being left to individual interpretation.
More importantly, this needs three things: engineering,
education and enforcement.
- Engineering:
Provide practical and scientifically designed drainage solutions.
- Education:
Explain to residents why rainwater outlets are necessary and how improper
covering affects the entire neighborhood.
- Enforcement:
Ensure that new construction and modifications follow the prescribed
standards.
This is not simply about preventing water from accumulating on our roads. It is about looking at the city as one interconnected system.
The water that we fail to drain today could be the water
we desperately search for tomorrow.
Bengaluru's rainwater is not merely a nuisance to be moved
away. It is a valuable natural resource. If every household, every
neighborhood and the civic administration take small but scientifically
informed steps, we can reduce waterlogging, protect our roads and create better
opportunities for rainwater to recharge our water resources.
Perhaps the question we should ask is not, “Why does
Bengaluru flood after every heavy rain?”
It should also be:
“What are we doing, right in front of our own homes, to
help the rainwater find its way?”