The Disaster Development causing unsustainability for Environment & Citizens of Kolar 6 Lane Expansion Project - Bhopal

The word "Development & Growth" has become the most commonly used terminology to mask the actual disastrous impact in Nature and its sustainability.

India, a land of diverse landscapes and rich biodiversity, is witnessing rapid development and urbanization. While this growth brings economic benefits and improved living standards, it also poses significant challenges to the environment. The unsustainable development practices have led to a series of ecological disasters, threatening the delicate balance of nature. This article explores the key issues causing unsustainability in India and emphasizes the urgent need for a sustainable approach to development.

Rapid Urbanization and Its Toll on Nature (Environmental Impact)

India's urban population is growing at an unprecedented rate. Cities are expanding, and new infrastructure projects are mushrooming across the country. This rapid urbanization has led to the destruction of natural habitats, deforestation, and loss of green cover. Forests, which play a crucial role in maintaining ecological balance, are being cleared for construction, mining, and agriculture.

Deforestation not only results in the loss of biodiversity but also contributes to climate change. Trees absorb carbon dioxide and release oxygen, acting as natural carbon sinks. The reduction in forest cover increases greenhouse gas emissions, exacerbating global warming and climate instability.

An example of an ongoing Road development project "6-Laning of Kolar Road from Kolar Guest House to Ghehun Kheda" in which many tree were fallen down to make way for road expansion has caused immense damage to the Environment.

In the images from Google Earth clearly shows the damages being caused by the unsustainable infrastructure process and Non-responsible Govt Machinery, who gives no ears to the Climate Change impact due to negligence of their responsibility of delivering their duties.

The progress monitoring has been done by various high-ranking politicians and bureaucrats, but no one ever seems to be interested in saving the trees of the areas which were in existence for more the 20 years. Many of which were more than 50 years old.

(Source: Naiduniya)

(Source: Naiduniya)

There were many unique trees all along the Kolar Road like Kachnar Tree (Bauhinia variegate), Banyan Trees, Peepal Trees etc. There has been no effort by the stakeholder Govt departments like PWD/Municipal Corporation to save the precious old trees. Below group of images shows the presence of the large no of trees canopy all along the road. These canopies played important role of maintaining the aesthetics, wind breaker and shadow source during scorching summer heatwave period. These trees also provided nesting places for various birds, erosion control and moisture management for the entire area, which has been destroyed by the so-called Infrastructure Development Project.

It has been seen that even in the presence of the modern technology tools available for relocation of trees, no one took interest to save the Environment and ecology of the area.

These Trees could have been saved by either reducing the road width of the Project or by shifting the trees to adjacent location along the road or on the dividers of the Road. Various methods are available to rolate the large trees.

(Source: Interesting Engineering)

Taking the note of the excessive felling of the trees a lawyer has filed a petition to save the green cover of the Bhopal city. For more click here

Hydrological Impact due to bad Planning

The construction of the road has significantly altered the natural drainage patterns in the area. The extensive paving and land modifications have disrupted the natural flow of rainwater, leading to water accumulation in areas that previously did not experience flooding. This disruption has caused several low-lying areas to become prone to waterlogging and flooding during heavy rainfall.

During the designing and Planning phase the detailed urban Hydrological analysis seems be missing. The important process of connecting all the catchments to the concerned Natural & Storm Water Drainage System during the construction phase is absent. There has been no urban flood analysis done for the low-lying areas, which is necessary to provide safe passage for the water getting generated as runoff from the relatively higher elevations of the Maulana Azad National Institute of Technology (MANIT) hills and getting drained into the surrounding area and Shahpur Lake.

In many areas there has been extensive earth filing of approx. 4-5 meters of height to construct the road, which is certainly going to create inundation of the low-lying areas causing havoc & inevitable problem to the citizens of the area during monsoon. The road construction has already started the problem of sewerage for many residents of the area. A news screenshot has been shown below.

Source: TOI

Encroachment on Natural Water Channels

In some cases, the construction of the road may have encroached upon natural water channels or wetlands that previously served as natural buffers against flooding. The loss or narrowing of these channels can restrict water flow and lead to increased flooding risk during heavy rains.

The carrying capacity of the drainages are also small as most of the drainages are encroached by the builders and realtors. The waterways have been encroached severely as seen below

One of the primary causes of flooding issues post-construction is the inadequate drainage infrastructure. The drainage systems designed to accompany the road may not have been properly scaled to handle the increased surface runoff generated by the expanded roadway. As a result, heavy rains can overwhelm these systems, leading to flooding on the road and adjacent areas.

Construction activities often lead to the accumulation of debris, soil, and construction materials in drainage channels. If not effectively managed, these materials can block or clog drains, preventing the effective flow of rainwater. Blocked drains are a common issue in many urban areas and can significantly contribute to flooding problems.

Infrastructure Strain and Safety of Public

Despite the construction of a major roadway, the integration with public transport systems remains insufficient. There is a lack of efficient and reliable public transport options along the corridor, leading to an overreliance on private vehicles. This not only exacerbates traffic congestion but also undermines efforts to promote sustainable transportation solutions.

From the above image it is clearly evident that there has been no space for Service Road and Parking of vehicles. The govt has given approval for commercial places in the past, but after the road expansion project all the spaces are gone and nothing left for the parking of vehicles. The vehicles are now being parked on the newly constructed road causing only 01 lane for the vehicular movement out of 03 lanes. The safety standards are being flouted and has never been inspected by the officials InCharge and political InCharge for the area.

These has been casualties due to road construction causing even death, which was reported by newspapers but no safety standards were fixed and transferred to ground.

(Source: TOI)

Poor Maintenance and Management

Ongoing maintenance and management of the drainage infrastructure are crucial to prevent flooding. Poor maintenance, such as infrequent cleaning of drains and lack of repairs, can lead to the deterioration of drainage systems. Ensuring regular upkeep and prompt response to any drainage issues can mitigate flooding problems.

Climate Change and Extreme Weather

The increasing frequency of extreme weather events due to climate change has exacerbated flooding risks. Intense rainfall events can quickly overwhelm drainage systems, leading to flash floods. Urban infrastructure must be designed with resilience to these changing weather patterns to minimize the impact of such events.

During the construction there has been no safety measures followed by the contractor in execution phase. There has been long Road Jams

Cause of Problems

• No Scientific Approach by Govt and Contractor to understand the possible urban flooding situations by this Large Infrastructure Project.
• Less inclination of officials and contractors towards sustainable solutions.
• The missing state policy towards incorporating Environmentally sustainable infrastructure with PWD and Urban Development Department.
• Not involving Water Resources department or any expert Institutions for identifying changes happened in Hydrological patterns of the area & vetting of designing solutions for mitigation measures to reduce flooding and sewerage problem.
• Faulty Storm Water Drainage plan already causing damages during construction to its surrounding area.
• No traffic Management & diversion plan by the traffic police and contractor.
• No Sewerage & Stormwater Management plan during construction and Monsoon period by PWD/BMC and Contractor.
• Officials of the Stakeholder department are least bothered and less exposed towards the damaged caused by the unsustainable construction activity and plan.
• No Meeting with Public in a scientific way to make economized publicly accepted solution, causing maximum damages to their property and land acquisition.

Solutions and Mitigation Measures

To address the flooding problems associated with the Kolar 6 Lane Road, several measures can be implemented:

1. Improving Sustainable Drainage Infrastructure: Upgrading and expanding the capacity of drainage systems to handle increased surface runoff.
2. Regular Maintenance: Ensuring regular cleaning and maintenance of drains and water channels to prevent blockages.
3. Permeable Surfaces: Incorporating permeable materials in road design and surrounding areas to enhance water infiltration.
4. Green Infrastructure: Implementing green infrastructure solutions, such as Large Tree plantation, rain gardens, bioswales, and green roofs, to manage stormwater naturally.
5. Community Engagement: Involving local communities in monitoring and maintaining drainage systems.
6. Flood-Resilient Planning: Adopting urban planning practices that consider the impact of climate change and incorporate flood-resilient designs.