Bengaluru: A proposed stormwater drain (SWD) alignment through a BDA apartment complex has sparked a fresh dispute between two civic bodies, leaving over 200 families caught in the middle. Residents allege that officials attempted to begin excavation inside the apartment premises without prior notice, escalating tensions over what was originally conceived as a long-pending housing project.Residents of the four-block BDA Apartments on Balagere–Gunjur Road have written to Bengaluru development minister Krishna Byre Gowda, alleging that officials from Greater Bengaluru Authority (GBA) recently entered the layout to inspect and initiate excavation work for a proposed SWD alignment adjacent to their apartment without notice.They said the 13-year-old project still lacks basic infrastructure, including an occupancy certificate and sewage treatment plant (STP), and urged the govt to halt the exercise, verify land records, and protect homeowners’ interests.In a representation made on July 13, residents and allottees intervened and stopped alleged unauthorised entry and proposed SWD excavation inside the housing layout.They said GBA-East officials, along with JCB machinery, entered the premises on June 20 without notice and claimed they were acting on an alleged SWD violation. The sudden entry and excavation attempt, they said, triggered fear and uncertainty among over 200 resident families.The project — spread across 10.3 acres with 868 flats — has been pending completion for over 13 years, with several civic works still incomplete. Residents cited a non-functional STP, the absence of fire safety systems and NOC, incomplete compound wall, inadequate electrical infrastructure, lack of parks and greenery, insufficient parking facilities, and non-issuance of OCs.They said over 50% of the flats are yet to be allotted, while over 2 acres of the project land has been under litigation before the high court for over 15 years. The allottees stated that as per approved layout plans, no drain passes through the project site. They warned that any drain alignment through internal common areas would impact safety, habitability, and property value, besides contradicting registered sale deeds issued to them.Narayana Shetty, a resident of the BDA complex, said: “We trusted the civic authority and invested our life savings in these flats. Now, a contractor has shown us a revised plan with the drain. BDA officials keep saying they will look into it, but nothing has changed.”Vasanth Adithya, advocate from Kreetam Law Associates, said: “Several residents will be affected, as the repair work could lead to waterlogging during the monsoon. We’ve initiated legal action to safeguard the residents’ rights.”BDA officials told TOI they are working to resolve the issue. A senior engineering department official said BDA has asked GBA East zone to explore an alternative alignment, as the housing project is complete and occupied. “They have agreed to look for alternatives, the work is currently on hold,” the official said, adding that while BDA knew of the proposed drain, it proceeded with the project assuming it would never be executed. “I don’t know what officials 10 years ago were thinking when they approved the project,” the official added.
