After more than 10 days of severe waterlogging that disrupted traffic through the Doddanekundi railway underpass, East City Corporation has begun repair work, saying it has identified a permanent solution to the recurring flooding issue.
Infrastructure Issues Identified
The railway underpass, a key connector between Doddanekundi and Outer Ring Road, remained inundated since the April 29 heavy rain, severely disrupting traffic in the area. Commuters, especially two-wheeler riders, were forced to walk their vehicles through the stagnant, dirty water which failed to recede even days after the rain. While initial flooding was attributed to the heavy rain, officials said prolonged stagnation of water pointed to a deeper infrastructure issue. Following multiple complaints from local residents and motorists, engineers inspected the site and found a sewage line maintained by the Bengaluru Water Supply and Sewerage Board (BWSSB) was connected to a Greater Bengaluru Authority (GBA) stormwater drain running parallel. It caused the sewage to overflow from a chamber near the underpass. Officials also found that the GBA stormwater drain pipeline in the area was clogged, worsening the flooding situation and preventing rainwater from draining out.
Long-Term Solution
According to an engineer overseeing the works, the civic body has now separated the BWSSB sewage line from the GBA stormwater drain system to prevent further contamination and overflow. As part of the long-term solution, the East City Corporation will replace the existing stormwater drainage line with a new 130-metre-long, 3-foot-wide pipeline to improve water flow near the underpass. “This will help rainwater flow easily at the railway underpass, and there will not be any sewage flow into the system. We have already started the work, which is expected to be completed in three days. There should not be waterlogging here when it rains,” the engineer said.
Commuters' Frustration
The issue sparked frustration among commuters over the past week, with several residents questioning why water remained stagnant for days in a major urban connector despite repeated complaints. The underpass has often faced flooding concerns during intense rain, but this time the prolonged stagnation highlighted larger concerns over coordination between civic and utility agencies. Officials now say the ongoing intervention is aimed at ensuring smoother traffic.
Mujeeb Rahman C, a commuter, said: “There is always a fear that water may enter silencers and damage vehicles, especially scooters and bikes. The dirty and polluted water also raises health concerns. Even light rain turns this underpass into a mess. Commuters travelling through the Marathahalli route are forced to take longer alternative roads, wasting time, fuel, and energy in traffic. Since this road becomes unusable, most vehicles divert through Karthik Nagar, causing heavy congestion during peak hours. The stagnant water makes daily travel difficult and unsafe.”
Dakshinya Potturi, an IT employee, added: “I walk from Doddanakundi to my office in Bagmane Tech Park because taking a bus via Karthik Nagar is difficult and time-consuming. During rain, crossing the underpass becomes risky due to the dirty, foul-smelling water, forcing many people to climb the retaining wall and cross the railway track. This time, the water remained stagnant for over 10 days, and it was clearly sewage. We are hopeful that the new move will finally address this long-standing issue.”
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