The Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) has issued a stringent directive to various government bodies, including the Pune Metropolitan Region Development Authority (PMRDA), Pune Metro, National Highway Authority of India (NHAI), and the Public Works Department (PWD), to finalise pre-monsoon preparations within PMC limits by June 10. The directive aims to mitigate waterlogging issues that historically plague Pune during the monsoon season.
In a proactive measure to avoid the usual blame game among government departments when monsoon-induced waterlogging occurs, the PMC convened a pre-monsoon review meeting with key stakeholders. The review, conducted on Thursday, included officials from PMRDA, Pune Metro, NHAI, PWD, Maharashtra State Electricity Distribution Company Limited (MSEDCL), and the water supply and road departments. PMC officials stressed the importance of inter-departmental cooperation to ensure timely completion of pre-monsoon works, offering full support from the PMC to achieve this goal.
Despite PMC’s claims of having completed 100% of the pre-monsoon work, ongoing efforts are still visible in various parts of the city, such as Kothrud, Karve Road, Katraj, Ambegaon, Mangalwar Peth, Bhavani Peth, Shivane, and the NDA area. Pre-monsoon tasks typically encompass cleaning nalas, drainage lines, stormwater drains, and chambers. This annual maintenance usually kicks off in April with an initial deadline of May 31, which often extends into June. This year, the deadline was set for May 31, but ongoing work necessitated an extension to June 10.
PMC drainage department officials have identified 116 critical culverts within the city’s jurisdiction. To address these, the PMC floated 15 tenders for drain cleaning within city limits and an additional eight tenders for the 23 newly merged villages. Commencing on March 26, 2024, the cleaning operations began following the issuance of all 23 work orders. According to the PMC, all critical culverts, 185 kilometres of drainage lines, and 100% of priority drains have been cleaned thus far.
However, inspections at Karve Road, Mrityunjayeshwar temple, Prathak Nagar Chowk, and Shiv Tirth Nagar Chowk revealed residual garbage, silt, and damaged guardrails. Furthermore, encroachments have blocked streams and drains in densely populated areas such as Kondhawe-Dhawade, Uttam Nagar, and Shivane, exacerbating flood risks during heavy rains. In response, the PMC has initiated deepening and cleaning operations for these water bodies. For example, a narrow stream at Kondhawe-Dhawade on NDA Road is being deepened using JCB machines. Former sarpanch Anita Ingle has called for stormwater drainage lines of larger diameter to replace natural stream flows obstructed by development.
These measures reflect the PMC’s commitment to averting monsoon-related disruptions and ensuring a more resilient urban infrastructure. However, the success of these efforts hinges on the prompt and coordinated actions of all involved government entities.
