Bengaluru Rajakaluve development and buffer road project to strengthen flood mitigation, improve connectivity, and accelerate land acquisition across key eastern corridors
Bengaluru, July 9: Bengaluru East City Corporation Commissioner D.S. Ramesh has directed officials to prepare a comprehensive plan for rajakaluve buffer zone protection, buffer road construction, and flood mitigation between Bellandur Waste Weir and Virginia Mall. The project includes land acquisition, joint surveys, infrastructure upgrades, and improved urban drainage to reduce flooding in eastern Bengaluru.
Bengaluru: In a major initiative aimed at strengthening Bengaluru's urban flood management infrastructure, Bengaluru East City Corporation Commissioner D.S. Ramesh conducted an extensive site inspection of the proposed Rajakaluve buffer zone protection, service road construction, and flood mitigation project stretching from the Bellandur Waste Weir/Outlet to Virginia Mall near Old Airport Road.
During the inspection, the Commissioner reviewed the proposed infrastructure works, assessed technical aspects of the project, examined land acquisition requirements, and held detailed discussions with officials from multiple departments before issuing key directions for expediting the project.
Bengaluru Rajakaluve Development Project Covers Key Flood-Prone Locations
The inspection covered several strategically important locations that have witnessed recurring flooding during the monsoon season.
The major locations inspected include:
- Outer Ring Road
- Bellandur Railway Station
- 100 Feet Road near Munnekollal STP
- Varthur Lake Buffer Zone
- Varthur Kodi Junction
The Commissioner instructed officials to prepare a detailed technical report after thoroughly studying the original alignment of the rajakaluve, the extent of the buffer zone, land acquisition requirements, the feasibility of constructing service roads, and other engineering measures required for effective flood mitigation.
"A comprehensive technical assessment must be completed to ensure sustainable flood management while preserving the original rajakaluve alignment and supporting infrastructure development," the Commissioner directed during the inspection.
Joint Survey Ordered to Identify Rajakaluve and Lake Boundaries
To prevent future encroachments and facilitate infrastructure development, D.S. Ramesh directed all concerned departments to jointly identify and demarcate the original boundaries of rajakaluves and lakes based on official revenue records.
Officials were instructed to:
- Conduct a joint survey with all concerned departments.
- Verify original rajakaluve and lake boundaries using revenue records.
- Clearly identify land required for acquisition.
- Install boundary stones wherever necessary.
- Complete the survey at the earliest and initiate the land acquisition process without delay.
The Commissioner stressed that accurate demarcation would be critical for ensuring long-term protection of Bengaluru's stormwater drainage network.
Comprehensive Buffer Road Plan to Improve Flood Management
As part of the proposed development, officials have been directed to prepare an integrated infrastructure plan that combines flood mitigation with improved urban mobility.
The proposed plan will include:
- Connecting the proposed buffer road with the Outer Ring Road.
- Constructing railway overbridges wherever required.
- Building elevated bridges at critical locations.
- Preserving the original width of rajakaluves.
- Constructing retaining walls for protection.
- Incorporating all required engineering measures to strengthen urban flood management.
The Commissioner said every component of the project should be planned scientifically to improve drainage efficiency while supporting future transport infrastructure.
"The project should integrate flood control, road connectivity and long-term urban infrastructure planning through technically sound solutions," he instructed.
Land Acquisition to Be Completed Through Inter-Departmental Coordination
Recognising the importance of coordinated execution, D.S. Ramesh instructed officials to work closely with multiple government departments and public agencies to complete the land acquisition process within a defined timeline.
Departments directed to coordinate include:
- Bengaluru Water Supply and Sewerage Board (BWSSB)
- GAIL India
- Revenue Department
- Department of Land Records
- Other concerned government agencies
The Commissioner instructed officials to conduct joint site inspections, resolve technical and administrative issues promptly, and ensure that land acquisition progresses without unnecessary delays.
Bengaluru Senior Officials Participate in Site Inspection
The inspection was attended by several senior officials from Bengaluru East City Corporation and associated departments, including Additional Commissioner (Development) Lokhande Snehal Sudhakar, Dr. B.S. Prahlad, Technical Director (B-SMILE), Bhooprada, Executive Engineer (SWD), Amrutha Sai, Executive Engineer (B-SMILE), Devaraj, Executive Engineer (B-SMILE), Naganjaneya, Assistant Director (Land Records), Sandesh Shetty, Assistant Executive Engineer (TDR), Chandrashekhar Naik, Assistant Engineer (TDR), along with officials representing various government departments.
The proposed project is expected to play a significant role in improving Bengaluru's stormwater drainage network, enhancing road connectivity, protecting rajakaluves and lake buffer zones, and reducing flood risks across eastern parts of the city.
