BWSSB plugging sewage inflow at three sites of Bengaluru's K-100 waterway project

BENGALURU: After missing multiple deadlines and expected to be completed in a few months, work on the ambitious K-100 waterway project, cutting through the centre of Bengaluru, is racing against time.
The K-100 project seeks to provide a waterfront experience to Bengalureans by remodelling and beautifying a 10-km-long stormwater drain that originates near KR Market and drains into Bellandur Lake.The beautification works include sealing off all sewage inlets to the drain and also, developing parks and pedestrian-friendly infrastructure.

However, the project area of what is being billed to become the city’s first waterway is being threatened by sewage inflow at three locations. On directions from the development commissioner, BWSSB is going all out to prevent and divert this sewage inflow away from the K-100 project site.
A senior engineer from BWSSB revealed to TOI that the three places are at Mission Road, Lalbagh Road and a lane near Dharmaraya Swamy temple in Nagarthpet area. “We have already taken up work on Mission Road to divert the sewage by laying a separate pipeline. In a few days, we will take up work at Lalbagh Road and subsequently, at Nagarthpet. Work at all the three locations may go on for another 35 to 40 days,” explained a BWSSB engineer.
The officials clarified that they would have completed the work on Mission Road by now, if not for a hard slab covering the drain.
“While building Richmond Circle flyover, the British-era drain was covered with a strong concrete slab. While work until that drain was completed, we hit a dead-end due to the slab. Last week, during the review meeting, we decided to make use of the core-cutting technique and complete the work. All through the stretch, we have secured the sewage line with a pre-cast concrete channel, and it will entirely divert the sewage.”
In Feb 2024, additional chief secretary and development commissioner Shalini Rajneesh had reviewed the project and instructed civic officials to ensure better coordination to prevent flow of sewage into the project site from the neighbouring localities. All civil and landscaping works along the 10-km canal are almost complete, barring eviction of a few encroachments.