Bengaluru: After heavy rain led to temporary waterlogging and slushy conditions in parts of Lalbagh, inconveniencing visitors during the Independence Day flower show, the department of horticulture said the issue was caused by two blocked drainage vents and resolved within a few hours.Several visitors reported difficulty navigating muddy stretches of the garden after intense showers Sunday evening, with water accumulating in some areas and affecting movement within the premises.Jagadeesh M, joint director of horticulture, said water accumulation occurred after excavated soil from landscaping works blocked two vents connected to a newly developed stormwater drainage network. The blockage prevented rainwater from flowing from the lawns into the main drain.“We recently developed a nearly 400-metre-long drainage network from the lake area towards the main gate and provided multiple vents to channel rainwater from the lawns. There is practically no possibility of prolonged water stagnation within Lalbagh. During landscaping work, two vents were inadvertently blocked by excavated soil, leading to temporary water accumulation,” he said.According to officials, the affected area was located on the western side of the garden, away from the Glass House where the main flower displays are housed.The department maintained that Lalbagh has largely remained free from major waterlogging issues in recent years despite spells of intense rain. Officials said the new drainage system was developed based on expert recommendations following instances of water stagnation reported in certain pockets of the garden in previous years.Addressing complaints about slush and difficult walking conditions, officials noted that several internal pathways in Lalbagh are unpaved and naturally become muddy during heavy rain. “Many stretches inside Lalbagh are mud pathways and not tarred roads. During periods of intense rain, some amount of slush is inevitable. However, the water stagnation issue was temporary and has been addressed,” an official said.
