BENGALURU: The Bangalore Development Authority (BDA) has completed the construction of 1,441 rainwater-harvesting percolation wells across BDA parks and residential premises, with the potential to recharge an estimated 184.59 million litres (18.459 crore litres) of rainwater annually.
The handover programme was held on Thursday at Nadaprabhu Kempegowda Layout, 4th Block, where BDA chairman N A Haris handed over the completed wells to the BDA authorities for maintenance and upkeep.
The ‘One Billion Drops (OBD) – Groundwater Recharge through Percolation Wells’ project was implemented by United Way of Bengaluru (UWBe) in collaboration with the BDA between February 2025 and February 2026.
Chairman calls for sustainable water management
Speaking on the occasion, BDA chairman Haris said, “Bengaluru’s water security depends on how wisely we conserve every drop today. These 1,441 percolation wells are a practical step towards recharging our groundwater and building a more resilient city. BDA will continue to pursue sustainable solutions that protect Bengaluru’s natural resources and secure its future”.
He emphasised that environmental initiatives require sustained maintenance and active citizen participation, and called for greater collaboration among government institutions, CSR partners and communities.
Wells strengthen groundwater recharge capacity
• 1,441 percolation wells across 77 BDA parks and residential premises
• Estimated annual groundwater recharge potential of 184.59 million litres (18.459 crore litres)
• Approximately 82,300 beneficiaries
• Nine awareness programmes across eight schools and one BDA residential community
• 593 students and community members reached through water-conservation and groundwater-recharge activities
Decentralised infrastructure for water security
Rapid urbanisation and concretisation have reduced natural rainwater infiltration in Bengaluru, increasing surface runoff and pressure on water resources. The project uses decentralised percolation wells to capture rainwater and facilitate groundwater recharge. Sites were selected based on recharge potential, runoff patterns, available open space and maintenance feasibility.
The project involved geological and GIS-based assessments, site identification, construction, quality checks and handover to the concerned authorities. The wells, generally around 12 feet deep, feature concrete rings, aggregate packing, iron mesh and protective covers. Warli art was added at selected locations to enhance visibility and promote water-conservation awareness.
GreenBengaluruByBDA.in launched
The BDA also launched GreenBengaluruByBDA.in, a digital platform designed to make the Authority’s greening initiatives more transparent, measurable and accessible. The platform enables monitoring of sapling health and maintenance, access to MOUs, volunteering and sapling-planting opportunities, educational tours, and submission of citizen queries through the ‘We Heard You’ section.
Schools and communities join effort
The nine awareness programmes reached 593 students and community members through presentations, videos, animations and live models on rainwater conservation and groundwater recharge. The initiative combines decentralised water infrastructure, CSR partnership and community participation to strengthen Bengaluru’s water security.
The wells will support groundwater recharge, reduce surface runoff and contribute to flood mitigation and climate resilience, while advancing ESG priorities and SDG 6-Clean Water and Sanitation. The BDA will continue to pursue sustainable, scalable and citizen-focused initiatives to strengthen Bengaluru’s environmental resilience and water security.
BDA officials Dr Lokesh A, Finance Member; Anilkumar, Engineer Officer, Charan G S, Deputy Conservator of Forests; Nikhitha N Chinnaswamy, Zonal Commissioner (West), Ashok, Executive Engineer (EE) along with United Way of Bengaluru’s K Radhakrishna Pradeep, Senior Manager; Ajay S S, Manager-Government Partnerships and Project Operations; and Biju Shantharam, Project Consultant-were present on the occasion.
