Pimple Nilakh Floods After Light Rain Residents Blame PCMC Riverfront Work
Just 15 minutes of rain triggered severe flooding in Pimple Nilakh, Pimpri-Chinchwad, on Friday evening, inundating homes with waist-deep water and sparking sharp criticism of the ongoing River Front Development (RFD) project by the Pimpri-Chinchwad Municipal Corporation (PCMC).
Locals claimed that construction under the project blocked stormwater drains and natural outflows into the nearby Mula River. The flooding occurred around 4 PM in Panchasheel Nagar, a locality near the border of Pune and PCMC limits, where water surged into homes, damaging appliances and forcing residents to manually bail out water. “It wasn’t even heavy rainfall. But suddenly, the water wasn’t draining,” said long-time resident Atul Kharat. “This never happened before. The RFD work has blocked the natural water outlets.” Residents said nearly 3 to 4 feet of water entered several homes within minutes, with floodwater taking unusually long to recede. Kharat confirmed he had filed a complaint on the PCMC’s Sarathi portal and urged authorities to investigate the drainage blockage linked to the riverfront work.
The PCMC, however, denied any connection between the flooding and the RFD construction. Sanjay Kulkarni, Chief Engineer (Environmental Engineering Department), stated after an on-site inspection that the area was low-lying and the waterlogging occurred due to a choked stormwater line. “It had nothing to do with the RFD,” he said. Environmentalists and civil society groups have long criticised the RFD project, warning that it reduces the river’s natural width, increases flood risk, and prioritises urban beautification over ecological balance. Activists say tree felling, debris dumping, and the absence of robust environmental assessments threaten biodiversity and disrupt natural drainage. Critics have also flagged the lack of transparency in planning and inadequate public consultation. They argue that genuine river rejuvenation should focus on cleaning the Mula River, preventing sewage discharge, and restoring its natural flow rather than commercial development.
As the monsoon nears, the incident in Pimple Nilakh has raised fresh questions about the sustainability and impact of large-scale infrastructure projects on vulnerable urban areas. With homes already affected by a light summer shower, residents worry that heavier rains could bring more severe consequences.
