Bengaluru, 6 May

A citizen’s group has alleged that the Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Limited (BMRCL) is pumping contaminated wastewater from the Cubbon Park metro into Cubbon Park, causing severe environmental damage.

S Umesh, an advocate and President of the Cubbon Park Walkers Association, said in a statement that the water is “filthy black and smells contaminated”.  He alleged that the BMRCL was pumping contaminated wastewater from their underground areas into the park, but added that the source of the water could also be Chinnaswamy Stadium, “which would be worse during match days”.

Detailing the flow of the water, Umesh stated that there was an old Rajakaluve (canal) that comes from Cubbon Road through Queens Road – which is where the Metro station is - into the park. He said that it goes through the bamboo grove and the wetland in the park. From here, the water goes into the lotus pond and is then channelled into Bal Bhavan, around the old bamboo island, the boating area, the Venkatappa Art Gallery and Cubbon Horticulture Dept Office and out to Siddalingaiah Junction to join the Rajakaluve SWD.

However, a walker noted that fish have been seen coming to the surface of the pond, raising concerns that the contaminated water is significantly impacting the park’s ecosystems.

Additionally, a few days after the massive hailstorms in the City last week, dead fish have been seen floating around the pond.

Umesh alleged that with the Horticulture management and staff on Census duty, regular maintenance is not happening. He stated that lots of branches that fell during the recent rains are yet to be cleared.