Golfers at the Karnataka Golf Association (KGA) here have raised concerns over covering of the storm-water drain (SWD) which could result in flooding of the 10th and 11th hole of the 18-hole golf course, recognised among the top courses in the country.
Flooded during rains
In fact, after the 10th hole area of the golf course was flooded during the recent rains and some trees were uprooted, KGA formally registered its protest and underlined that covering of the drain would lead to flooding of the 10th hole. Despite assurances by the Bruhat Bangalore Mahanagara Palike and Embassy Group representatives, who inspected the area recently, it has not gone down well with the members.
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The association members have been anxious over the Embassy Group’s ‘Embassy Grove’, a villa project, adjacent to the 10th and 11th holes for which the storm-water drain is being covered. Embassy Group, which has got permission from Bruhat Bangalore Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) to cover it, has said that the drain would be covered with removable perforated cement slabs using latest technology. The group has said that it will desilt and declog the drain.
The former president of the club and retired IPS officer B.S.N. Reddy told The Hindu that while everybody seemed to accept that covering of the drain would not cause flooding, it was proved wrong already as the 10th hole was flooded when it rained last time and the same is expected next time it pours. (Storm-Water Drain) Ananthswamy confirmed that the civic agency had permitted the Embassy Group to cover the 350-meters of the drain from the 10th hole to the Wind Tunnel Bridge.
Meanwhile, in the KGA’s December 2014 newsletter, KGA president Hitesh N. Joshi wrote that the association had agreed to covering of the drain only after they were given an assurance that covering of the drain will not affect KGA.
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Besides the area on the covered drain will not be used as car park or pedestrian pathway, and the group would put up a net at their cost to prevent ball hits.