PIL challenges norms on drains’ buffer zones in Bengaluru

Bengaluru: The high court Tuesday ordered notice to govt, Greater Bengaluru Authority (GBA) and Bangalore Development Authority (BDA) in response to a public interest litigation filed by an NGO challenging the notification prescribing new norms for buffer zones around stormwater drains.

A division bench of Chief Justice Vibhu Bakhru and Justice KS Hemalekha directed the respondents to file their responses.

Janaadhikaara Sangharsha Parishath challenged the Oct 15, 2025 notification on SWD buffer zones in Bengaluru Metropolitan Area -- 15 metres on either side for primary drain, 10 metres for secondary and 5 metres for tertiary drain -- claiming it seeks to reduce the existing limit substantially. Reducing buffer zones increases flooding, endangering lives, property and safety, the petitioner said.

National Green Tribunal has also said buffer zones around drains, lakes and waterbodies must be preserved and cannot be reduced by executive action, the NGO pointed out. It sought for a direction to GBA and BDA to immediately identify, demarcate and notify buffer zones around primary, secondary and tertiary drains.