The Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) has announced plans to tackle at least 65 out of 120 flood-prone spots through various measures before June, as part of pre-monsoon preparations to prevent waterlogging. For the remaining locations, the civic administration stated that temporary arrangements will be made to mitigate water accumulation during heavy rainfall.
Progress on Pre-Monsoon Works
Officials from the PMC confirmed that pre-monsoon works are progressing on multiple fronts. With approximately one month remaining before the monsoon season begins, efforts have been accelerated. However, the civic body is unlikely to meet its April-end deadline, as only about 40% of nullah and stormwater channel cleaning has been completed so far. Civic officials now aim to finish the remaining work by mid-May.
In a meeting held in March, Pune Mayor Manjusha Nagpure directed the PMC to complete all pre-monsoon works by April. This directive came in response to the early onset of rains last year, which posed significant challenges for the city.
Current Cleaning Operations
Cleaning of nullahs and stormwater channels is currently underway across all 15 ward offices. Separate tenders have been issued to appoint agencies for each area to prevent delays. The PMC faces the daunting task of completing 60% of channel and duct cleaning before the monsoon this year. A civic official, speaking on condition of anonymity, stated, "At 65 flood-prone spots, various works are ongoing, including laying stormwater channels, adjusting slopes and gradients to eliminate water accumulation, replacing chamber lids, or reconstructing drainage lines. All works are expected to be completed within the next month."
Citizen Engagement and Concerns
Citizens' forums and elected representatives from various areas have submitted lists of flood-prone locations to their respective ward offices. A forum from Baner-Balewadi has appealed to local residents to provide such lists of waterlogging spots near their societies to the ward office. Wadgaonsheri corporator Yogesh Mulik mentioned that he has planned joint inspections of pre-monsoon works to ensure cleaning is carried out systematically.
Vivek Velankar, head of the Sajag Nagrik Manch, remarked, "We have been urging the PMC to conduct a third-party audit of pre-monsoon works. Their lack of preparedness was evident recently when unseasonal showers hit Pune earlier in April, causing waterlogging across the city. We do not want a repeat of this."
Viveka Sharma, a resident of Koregaon Park, expressed concerns about waterlogging becoming a major challenge in many areas. "Junctions face water accumulation even after brief spells of rain. The design of stormwater channels needs proper inspection," she said.
