A GBA source involved in the project says the civic authority aims not only to mitigate flooding caused by poor stormwater drain infrastructure but also to improve overall water security in the city.
The Greater Bengaluru Authority (GBA) has roped in the Indian Institute of Science (IISc) and the Indian Institute of Technology Madras (IIT-M) to drive the progress of its ambitious World Bank-funded Bengaluru Water Resilience Project.
The project will receive over ₹3,500 crore in funding from the World Bank, with key stakeholders including the GBA, BWSSB, Minor Irrigation, and the Karnataka State Natural Disaster Monitoring Centre (KSNDMC). The project is expected to be modelled on IISc’s Urban Flood model for Bengaluru, with crucial modifications to align with GBA’s objectives. This development follows discussions between GBA officials and World Bank representatives.
World Bank’s technical assistance
M. Maheshwar Rao, Chief Commissioner of GBA, stated that the initial meeting with World Bank officials was fruitful and that the water resilience project will soon move into the implementation phase. “Not just this, but the World Bank has offered technical assistance for GBA projects, which are currently under discussion and will be explored,” Mr. Rao told The Hindu.
In addition to IISc and IIT-M, the project will involve the Karnataka State Natural Disaster Management Authority (KSDMA), Bengaluru-based WELL Labs, and think tank CSTEP. Munish Moudgil, Special Commissioner (Revenue), GBA, confirmed that the two private agencies will contribute their services under a non-financial memorandum.
Improving water security
A GBA source involved in the project explained that the civic authority aims not only to mitigate flooding caused by poor stormwater drain infrastructure but also to improve overall water security in the city. This includes rainwater storage and harvesting, watershed development, and addressing long-term challenges such as floods, droughts, and other climate-related risks.
For example, the project will strengthen stormwater drains (SWDs), prevent the concretisation of drains and lakes to raise underground water levels, identify natural solutions for flood-prone areas, and establish maintenance plans for SWDs during summer months.
“IISc will update its model and make necessary adjustments to meet project objectives. The model requires advanced technology for processing and visualisation, and IIT-M will provide support in this area,” the source said.
WELL Labs and CSTEP
WELL Labs and CSTEP will contribute value addition by proposing strategies and ideas to enhance the project’s design and implementation, tailored to Bengaluru’s specific needs. The KSNDMC will provide proactive and innovative science and technology inputs, as well as capacity-building support. IIT-M will offer necessary staff training to ensure successful project execution.
The implementation of the project will be managed by Bengaluru Smart Infrastructure Ltd. (BSMILE), a special-purpose vehicle established for mega projects.
source/content: thehindu.com (headline edited)