{"id":4156,"date":"2025-05-20T16:45:48","date_gmt":"2025-05-20T11:15:48","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/belgaumnow.com\/?p=4156"},"modified":"2025-05-20T16:46:47","modified_gmt":"2025-05-20T11:16:47","slug":"raja-kaluve-blocked-bengaluru-flooded-calls-for-action-against-karle-infra","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/belgaumnow.com\/?p=4156","title":{"rendered":"“Raja Kaluve Blocked, Bengaluru Flooded: Calls for Action Against Karle Infra”"},"content":{"rendered":"

Encroachment Sparks Flood Crisis Near Manyata Tech Park: Residents Accuse Karle Infra Tech, Officials of Negligence<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n

Bengaluru faces a looming urban disaster as residents blame real estate giant for stormwater drain blockage and government complicity.<\/em><\/p>\n

\n

Bengaluru, May 20, 2025<\/strong> \u2013 As relentless rains lashed the city over the past week, areas surrounding Manyata Tech Park, Manpho Convention Centre, and Nagavara village witnessed alarming levels of flooding, disrupting life for thousands of residents and professionals in one of Bengaluru\u2019s prime tech corridors. Local citizens and activists are now pointing fingers at Karle Infra Tech, alleging illegal encroachment and diversion of the city’s vital stormwater drain system\u2014known as Raja Kaluve<\/em>\u2014as the root cause of the crisis.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis is not a natural calamity\u2014it is a man-made disaster,\u201d said Rajagopal, a local resident and son of the original landowner in the area. \u201cFor generations, the Raja Kaluve flowed in a straight line. It was blocked and diverted only after Karle Infra came in. The flooding today is a direct result of that.\u201d<\/p>\n

\n

Allegations of Illegal Encroachment and Drain Diversion<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Residents claim Karle Infra Tech has illegally occupied 33 guntas<\/strong> (approximately 1.35 acres) of government land, including land designated as B Kharab<\/em>\u2014a classification for non-cultivable or government-owned land\u2014and diverted the natural flow of the stormwater drain to facilitate its real estate project.<\/p>\n

According to satellite imagery and land records accessed by the residents, the original 35-foot-wide stormwater drain flowed through Survey Nos. 91\/3, 92, 95, and 96<\/strong>, crossing Outer Ring Road and terminating at the Mariyannapalaya Kere Kodi. However, activists allege that Karle constructed a wall across the drain and rerouted it at a sharp 90-degree angle at their property boundary in Sy. No. 91\/3.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis unnatural diversion has forced floodwater back into residential and commercial areas, including tech parks and convention centers,\u201d said a representative of a local citizens\u2019 group. \u201cInstead of flowing downstream, water now floods into homes and offices.\u201d<\/p>\n

\n

Manipulation of Land Records and Official Inaction<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Residents further allege manipulation of land records to mask the illegal encroachment. The Koliwad Committee\u2014tasked with investigating encroachments on government land between 2014 and 2017\u2014had already flagged the illegal occupation of the B Kharab land in the area. Despite this, authorities allegedly regularized the records, even changing land classifications from B Kharab<\/em> to Kal Daari<\/em> (footpath), enabling construction over the drain.<\/p>\n

\u201cThere is a clear pattern of collusion between developers and officials,\u201d said a resident activist, accusing both the BBMP and Revenue Department of turning a blind eye. \u201cEven the BBMP\u2019s 2023 report acknowledged the encroachment, but no action has followed.\u201d<\/p>\n

\n

Drain Width Reduced, Disaster Risk Amplified<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Instead of restoring the original width of the drain, authorities allegedly sanctioned the construction of a narrow 6-foot-wide alternative to replace the 35-foot-wide natural channel. Residents and experts warn that the reduced width is grossly inadequate to manage stormwater flow during heavy rains.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis kind of reduction is a ticking time bomb,\u201d said an independent civil engineer familiar with Bengaluru\u2019s drainage system. \u201cA six-foot drain cannot handle the water volume in peak monsoon conditions, especially in urbanized zones like this.\u201d<\/p>\n

\n

Flooding Hits Homes, Offices, and Tech Corridors<\/strong><\/h3>\n

The impact has been severe. Waterlogged streets have paralyzed traffic, disrupted tech park operations, and caused damage to property and infrastructure. Employees of several IT firms based in Manyata Tech Park reported being stranded during the recent deluge.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe had to wade through waist-deep water just to reach the main road,\u201d said Ananya Rao, an IT professional. \u201cEvery year it gets worse, and this time the flooding entered our office basement.\u201d<\/p>\n

\""Karle
“Karle Infra Blamed for Illegal Drain Blockage That Flooded Tech Hub”<\/strong><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\n

Residents Plan Legal Action and Mass Protests<\/strong><\/h3>\n

With no resolution in sight, residents are preparing to escalate the matter. A protest is being organized to demand immediate action from civic authorities and the state government. Rajagopal and other community leaders plan to file legal petitions to restore the natural drainage system and hold Karle Infra Tech accountable.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe will not remain silent while our homes and workplaces are drowned due to corporate greed and government apathy,\u201d Rajagopal asserted. \u201cIf the Raja Kaluve is not restored, this will not be the last disaster.\u201d<\/p>\n

\n

Call for Government Accountability<\/strong><\/h3>\n

The growing crisis has spotlighted the broader issue of unregulated urban development in Bengaluru, where stormwater drains are frequently encroached upon, leading to annual flooding nightmares.<\/p>\n

Urban planning experts have repeatedly warned that unless strict enforcement of zoning laws and restoration of stormwater channels is prioritized, Bengaluru could face a catastrophic urban flooding event.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe city is choking on its own negligence,\u201d said a retired urban planner. \u201cWhen drains become real estate, water finds its own way\u2014usually into people’s homes.\u201d<\/p>\n

\n

What Residents Demand:<\/strong><\/p>\n

    \n
  • \n

    Immediate removal of encroachments over the Raja Kaluve.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n

  • \n

    Restoration of the original 35-foot-wide stormwater drain.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n

  • \n

    Investigation into manipulation of revenue and land records.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n

  • \n

    Accountability from BBMP and Revenue Department officials.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n

  • \n

    A long-term flood mitigation plan for north Bengaluru.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

    As Bengaluru\u2019s tech corridor faces the risk of repeated urban flooding, the question remains: will the government act in time, or wait for the next deluge to expose the cost of inaction?<\/p>\n

    \ud83d\udde3\ufe0f KEY QUOTES<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n

    Rajagopal (Resident Leader):<\/strong><\/p>\n

    \n

    \u201cFor generations, the Raja Kaluve flowed through this land. Karle Infra illegally diverted it, and now our homes and offices are under water.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

    \n

    \u201cThis is not just a violation of land laws\u2014it\u2019s a threat to lives and livelihoods.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

    Resident Protest Group Representative:<\/strong><\/p>\n

    \n

    \u201cKarle Infra\u2019s wall redirected a 35-foot-wide drain into a 6-foot channel. That\u2019s not engineering\u2014that\u2019s negligence.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

    \n

    \u201cOfficials have reports. They have evidence. Still, nothing has been done. Why?\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

    Independent Civil Engineer:<\/strong><\/p>\n

    \n

    \u201cStormwater drains can\u2019t be curved at 90 degrees and narrowed down arbitrarily. This is against all principles of urban drainage design.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

    IT Professional (Ananya Rao):<\/strong><\/p>\n

    \n

    \u201cWe waded through waist-deep water to leave the tech park. Every year it gets worse. Is this the price of unchecked development?\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

    \n

    \u2753 Q&A\u00a0<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n

    Q1: What exactly is the issue in Manyata Tech Park and surrounding areas?<\/strong>
    A:<\/strong> Severe flooding caused by the illegal diversion and narrowing of a major stormwater drain\u2014Raja Kaluve\u2014allegedly by Karle Infra Tech, with the complicity of government officials.<\/p>\n

    Q2: What is the role of Karle Infra Tech in this?<\/strong>
    A:<\/strong> Residents allege that Karle Infra encroached upon 33 guntas of government land, blocked the natural flow of the drain, and diverted it at an unnatural 90-degree angle to avoid passing through their project site.<\/p>\n

    Q3: Has there been any official confirmation of these encroachments?<\/strong>
    A:<\/strong> Yes. The Koliwad Committee and a 2023 BBMP report both flagged these encroachments. Despite this, authorities have taken no visible action.<\/p>\n

    Q4: What are residents demanding?<\/strong>
    A:<\/strong> Restoration of the original 35-foot drain, removal of illegal encroachments, investigation into land record manipulation, and accountability from officials.<\/p>\n

    Q5: Is legal action being pursued?<\/strong>
    A:<\/strong> Yes. A group of residents, led by Rajagopal, are planning legal petitions and mass protests to demand urgent redressal.<\/p>\n

    <\/div>\n

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    Encroachment Sparks Flood Crisis Near Manyata Tech Park: Residents Accuse Karle Infra Tech, Officials of Negligence Bengaluru faces a looming urban disaster as residents blame real estate giant for stormwater drain blockage and government complicity. Bengaluru, May 20, 2025 \u2013 As relentless rains lashed the city over the past week, areas surrounding Manyata Tech Park, […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":4157,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[198],"tags":[283,877,74,876,82],"class_list":["post-4156","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-bengaluru","tag-government","tag-karle-infra-tech","tag-karnataka","tag-manyata-tech-park","tag-siddaramaiah"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/belgaumnow.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4156","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/belgaumnow.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/belgaumnow.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/belgaumnow.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/belgaumnow.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=4156"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/belgaumnow.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4156\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":4160,"href":"https:\/\/belgaumnow.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4156\/revisions\/4160"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/belgaumnow.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/4157"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/belgaumnow.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=4156"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/belgaumnow.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=4156"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/belgaumnow.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=4156"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}