Pune: Residents of Mahesh Society Chowk in Bibwewadi have resorted to an unusual form of protest to draw attention to the ongoing drainage crisis affecting their area. On Monday, August 26, the residents staged a dramatic demonstration involving the release of wooden boats into the wastewater that has been flooding their streets.
The protestors, who dressed as astronauts and held placards with provocative messages like “Are the engineers to be called from Mars?” and “Take a boat, not a vehicle, through Mahesh Society Chowk,” aimed to highlight the severe inadequacies in the local drainage system. The use of boats in the standing wastewater underscored the severity of the problem and the perceived inaction by authorities.
Local resident and Congress city unit secretary, Mr. Ravi Deshmukh, expressed frustration with the lack of progress in addressing the drainage issues. “For the past four months, the chowk has been inundated with continuously flowing drainage water,” Deshmukh said. He reported that despite numerous complaints to various government bodies, including the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC), the police department, the Public Works Department (PWD), and even the Chief Minister’s Office (CMO), there has been no substantial response. This inaction has left residents facing daily hazards and has prompted the dramatic protest. The central issue at Mahesh Society Chowk is the broken drainage chamber in the middle of the road, which has resulted in persistent flooding. This ongoing problem has forced both pedestrians and motorists to navigate the area with great caution. “Walking on this road has become extremely difficult. Many residents have fallen into the flowing water due to the lack of proper drainage,” one resident reported.
A senior engineer from the PMC’s drainage department, speaking on condition of anonymity, acknowledged the problem but noted the complexity of the situation. “Three different drainage lines converge at this chowk, and pinpointing the exact location of the blockage has proven challenging. We are actively working on resolving the issue,” the engineer stated. The protest highlights a critical issue in urban infrastructure management and the need for prompt action to address such civic problems. The residents’ dramatic demonstration reflects their frustration and the urgent need for the PMC to address the drainage issues at Mahesh Society Chowk. As the situation continues to impact daily life, there is growing pressure on local authorities to deliver a timely and effective resolution.
