Severe waterlogging in Pune’s bustling Hinjewadi IT hub has prompted the Pune Metropolitan Region Development Authority (PMRDA) to initiate a stringent crackdown on unauthorised construction and industrial pollution. Following public outrage over flooded roads and residential areas during last week’s rainfall, officials have pledged visible on-ground changes within 10 days.
PMRDA Commissioner has mandated an aggressive clean-up drive, ordering immediate surveys of all structures near natural water channels. Any construction found to be unauthorised or obstructing natural flow will face demolition. The move follows massive disruptions on the Maharashtra Industrial Development Corporation (MIDC) road between Hinjewadi Metro stations 3 and 4, where rainfall on June 7 rendered large sections impassable, especially near key residential and commercial landmarks.The authority’s response, shaped during a high-level review meeting held at PMRDA’s Akurdi office, has set a strict deadline of June 15 for tangible improvements in the flood-affected areas of Hinjewadi, Marunji and Maan. The emphasis is on restoring the natural drainage network and enforcing environmental accountability.
Concerns were raised about industries allegedly discharging untreated effluents into local drains, intensifying flood risks. The PMRDA has directed that such units be thoroughly investigated, and if found guilty of violating pollution control norms or lacking legal approvals, they will face harsh penalties including water and electricity disconnection.Further complicating matters is the ongoing metro infrastructure work in the region, which residents claim has contributed to traffic chaos and poor drainage due to debris left unattended. Agencies involved in metro construction have now been directed to clear all construction waste from roads, footpaths and drains within a week and ensure roads are properly resurfaced before being handed over to MIDC.
The inter-agency meeting saw participation from multiple stakeholders, including representatives from MIDC, the Maharashtra Pollution Control Board (MPCB), Pune IT City Metro, Pimpri Chinchwad Municipal Corporation (PCMC), MSEDCL, Zilla Parishad, and local gram panchayats. Residents and industry bodies were also present, underlining the community’s growing anxiety over delayed civic responses and urban mismanagement.A member of the Hinjawadi IT Park Residents Welfare Association noted that civic agencies have been asked to finish road repairs and drain cleaning within 10 days. Whether these timelines will be honoured remains to be seen, but public scrutiny is intensifying.
Meanwhile, a legislator who attended the meeting has warned of raising the matter in the upcoming legislative assembly session should the clean-up operations fall short. The official has signalled that non-performing departments could face public accountability if critical civic work continues to be neglected.Looking ahead, city authorities are also evaluating redesigns of the stormwater drainage system and are planning to procure mobile pumps as part of a long-term flood response strategy. A 10-tonne waste processing plant is also in the pipeline to manage solid waste more efficiently.
In an attempt to streamline coordination, PMRDA has proposed forming a WhatsApp group to monitor progress on pending civic tasks. The region’s law enforcement infrastructure is also set to expand, with land allocated for a new police outpost in Hinjewadi Phase 3 to improve public safety.
The swift and coordinated action now underway is a litmus test of the city’s ability to manage its growth sustainably. As Pune continues to attract large-scale residential and industrial investment, the challenge remains to strike a balance between rapid urbanisation and ecological resilience. The outcome of these interventions may well shape the future of infrastructure planning across India’s emerging metropolitan regions.
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