TheHigh Court has issued notices to the State Government, the Greater Bengaluru Authority (GBA) and the Bangalore Development Authority (BDA) over a public interest litigation challenging the reduction of buffer zones around Bengaluru’s rajakaluves (primary stormwater drains) and secondary drainage channels. The petition, filed by Adarsh R. Ayyar, Co-Chairperson and Managing Trustee of Janaadhikara Sangharsha Parishat, questions amendments made to the Revised Master Plan-2015, alleging that the reduction of buffer zones has contributed significantly to the city’s recurring flooding problems. A Division Bench comprising Chief Justice Vibhu Bakhru and Justice K.S. Hemalekha heard the matter on Tuesday. After hearing preliminary arguments from the petitioner’s counsel, the court directed the respondents to file their objections and adjourned the matter to September 2. During the hearing, the petitioner’s counsel argued that the government had substantially reduced the mandatory buffer areas surrounding stormwater drains through amendments to the city’s planning framework. According to the petition, the move has worsened flooding across Bengaluru, resulting in increased loss of life and property during periods ofheavy rainfall. The petition contends that shrinking the buffer zones has increased pressure on the city’s drainage network, leading to frequent inundation in several localities. It further argues that making such changes without a comprehensive revision of the city’s Master Plan violates existing planning and environmental regulations and reflects a lack of scientific and long-term urban planning. The petitioner pointed out that Bengaluru has faced repeated flooding incidents for over a decade. Citing findings from a 2021 report of the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG), the petition states that civic authorities failed to properly identify stormwater drains, inadequately demarcated buffer zones and took insufficient action against encroachments. According to the petition, nearly 2,600 encroachments on stormwater drains were identified, but only around 100 were removed. It also alleges that construction activities were allowed too close to drainage channels, further weakening the city’s flood management capacity. The PIL argues that instead of addressing these systemic shortcomings, the government’s decision to reduce buffer zones has created additional opportunities for encroachments and has effectively benefited private real-estate development at the cost of public safety and environmental protection. The petitioner also stated that detailed objections had been submitted when a draft notification proposing the reduction was issued on September 30, 2025. However, those objections, including scientific, environmental and legal concerns, were allegedly ignored before the government finalized the notification. The petition seeks the quashing of the Urban Development Department’s final notification dated October 15, 2025, contending that it is contrary to planning laws, environmental regulations and public interest. The High Court will hear the matter again on September 2.