NEWS – The Greater Bengaluru Authority (GBA) has partnered with the Indian Institute of Science (IISc) and Indian Institute of Technology Madras (IIT-M) to advance its ambitious World Bank-funded Bengaluru Water Resilience Project, aimed at enhancing water security and flood resilience in the city.

HIGHLIGHTS

Project Funding and Stakeholders

• Total funding: ₹3,500 crore from the World Bank.
• Key stakeholders: GBA, BWSSB, Minor Irrigation Department, Karnataka State Natural Disaster Monitoring Centre (KSNDMC).
• Additional contributors: Karnataka State Natural Disaster Management Authority (KSDMA), WELL Labs, and think tank CSTEP.

Objectives of the Project

• Flood mitigation: Address poor stormwater drain infrastructure and reduce urban flooding.
• Water security: Improve rainwater storage, promote watershed development, and enhance groundwater recharge.
• Climate resilience: Prepare the city for long-term challenges such as floods, droughts, and other climate-related risks.

Key Features and Methodology

• The project will be modeled on IISc’s Urban Flood model, with adjustments to meet GBA’s objectives.
• Strengthening and maintaining stormwater drains (SWDs).
• Preventing concretisation of drains and lakes to increase groundwater levels.
• Identifying natural solutions for flood-prone areas.
• Establishing maintenance plans for SWDs during summer months.

Implementation and Technical Support

• Project execution: Managed by Bengaluru Smart Infrastructure Ltd. (BSMILE), a special-purpose vehicle for mega projects.
• The World Bank will provide technical assistance, which is under discussion for other GBA projects.
• Private agencies will contribute services under a non-financial memorandum of understanding.