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 – 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’s 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—known as Raja Kaluve—as the root cause of the crisis.
“This is not a natural calamity—it is a man-made disaster,” said Rajagopal, a local resident and son of the original landowner in the area. “For 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.”
Allegations of Illegal Encroachment and Drain Diversion
Residents claim Karle Infra Tech has illegally occupied 33 guntas (approximately 1.35 acres) of government land, including land designated as B Kharab—a classification for non-cultivable or government-owned land—and diverted the natural flow of the stormwater drain to facilitate its real estate project.
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, 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.
“This unnatural diversion has forced floodwater back into residential and commercial areas, including tech parks and convention centers,” said a representative of a local citizens’ group. “Instead of flowing downstream, water now floods into homes and offices.”
Manipulation of Land Records and Official Inaction
Residents further allege manipulation of land records to mask the illegal encroachment. The Koliwad Committee—tasked with investigating encroachments on government land between 2014 and 2017—had 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 to Kal Daari (footpath), enabling construction over the drain.
“There is a clear pattern of collusion between developers and officials,” said a resident activist, accusing both the BBMP and Revenue Department of turning a blind eye. “Even the BBMP’s 2023 report acknowledged the encroachment, but no action has followed.”
Drain Width Reduced, Disaster Risk Amplified
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.
“This kind of reduction is a ticking time bomb,” said an independent civil engineer familiar with Bengaluru’s drainage system. “A six-foot drain cannot handle the water volume in peak monsoon conditions, especially in urbanized zones like this.”
Flooding Hits Homes, Offices, and Tech Corridors
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.
“We had to wade through waist-deep water just to reach the main road,” said Ananya Rao, an IT professional. “Every year it gets worse, and this time the flooding entered our office basement.”
Residents Plan Legal Action and Mass Protests
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.
“We will not remain silent while our homes and workplaces are drowned due to corporate greed and government apathy,” Rajagopal asserted. “If the Raja Kaluve is not restored, this will not be the last disaster.”
Call for Government Accountability
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.
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.
“The city is choking on its own negligence,” said a retired urban planner. “When drains become real estate, water finds its own way—usually into people’s homes.”
What Residents Demand:
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Immediate removal of encroachments over the Raja Kaluve.
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Restoration of the original 35-foot-wide stormwater drain.
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Investigation into manipulation of revenue and land records.
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Accountability from BBMP and Revenue Department officials.
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A long-term flood mitigation plan for north Bengaluru.
As Bengaluru’s 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?
🗣️ KEY QUOTES
Rajagopal (Resident Leader):
“For generations, the Raja Kaluve flowed through this land. Karle Infra illegally diverted it, and now our homes and offices are under water.”
“This is not just a violation of land laws—it’s a threat to lives and livelihoods.”
Resident Protest Group Representative:
“Karle Infra’s wall redirected a 35-foot-wide drain into a 6-foot channel. That’s not engineering—that’s negligence.”
“Officials have reports. They have evidence. Still, nothing has been done. Why?”
Independent Civil Engineer:
“Stormwater drains can’t be curved at 90 degrees and narrowed down arbitrarily. This is against all principles of urban drainage design.”
IT Professional (Ananya Rao):
“We waded through waist-deep water to leave the tech park. Every year it gets worse. Is this the price of unchecked development?”
❓ Q&A
Q1: What exactly is the issue in Manyata Tech Park and surrounding areas?
A: Severe flooding caused by the illegal diversion and narrowing of a major stormwater drain—Raja Kaluve—allegedly by Karle Infra Tech, with the complicity of government officials.
Q2: What is the role of Karle Infra Tech in this?
A: 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.
Q3: Has there been any official confirmation of these encroachments?
A: Yes. The Koliwad Committee and a 2023 BBMP report both flagged these encroachments. Despite this, authorities have taken no visible action.
Q4: What are residents demanding?
A: Restoration of the original 35-foot drain, removal of illegal encroachments, investigation into land record manipulation, and accountability from officials.
Q5: Is legal action being pursued?
A: Yes. A group of residents, led by Rajagopal, are planning legal petitions and mass protests to demand urgent redressal.
