Pune Sewage Crisis: Residents Demand Permanent Solution as Street Floods Near School
In the Mhalunge area of Pune, a severe sewage crisis has erupted, with foul-smelling wastewater gushing out of a chamber and inundating the street between Puraniks Espanola society and Metro Jazz, located near Educon International School. The situation has left the road slippery and the air nearly unbreathable, posing significant health and safety risks for local residents.
Residents Voice Frustration Over Delayed Repairs
Residents are demanding an immediate fix to the problem, especially as work is already underway to dig up the road for a water pipeline installation. They fear that if sewage pipeline repairs are delayed, it will necessitate digging up the freshly laid road again, causing further disruption and inefficiency.
"Why can't they (PMC) do everything at one go when the road is already dug up?" asked resident Anita Marathe, echoing the frustration of her neighbors. She highlighted that sewage routinely flows across the road and into the Kirti Elegance society, directly opposite Educon School, where students alight from and board vehicles daily.
Health Hazards and Long-Term Concerns
Marathe expressed grave concerns about potential contamination, stating, "The underground water pipelines and tanks are old. What if sewage is seeping into them? Even otherwise, this is a serious health hazard." She warned that with the monsoon approaching, the situation could turn disastrous, with waterlogging forcing people to wade through sewage. "We need an immediate fix, but also a long-term solution," she emphasized.
Chronic Issue Persists for Years
Priti Kale, a resident of Metro Jazz, revealed that the problem has haunted the area for the past four years. "I have officially complained multiple times to both the ward office and PMC. Each time, they clean the chamber and things are fine briefly. But the sewage is back on the road soon after. This is no longer an occasional issue, it's a permanent one," she said.
Kale stressed that unless an engineer investigates the root cause, the cycle of temporary fixes will never end. Despite repeated attempts, calls and messages to Vijay Naykal, the assistant municipal commissioner and Aundh-Baner ward officer overseeing Mhalunge, remained unanswered at the time of reporting.
Call for Action and Accountability
The residents' demands include:
- Immediate repair of the sewage chamber to prevent further flooding.
- A comprehensive investigation by engineers to identify and address the root cause of the issue.
- Coordination between PMC departments to avoid repeated road digging and ensure efficient infrastructure work.
- Long-term solutions to prevent recurrence, especially ahead of the monsoon season.
This sewage crisis underscores broader concerns about urban infrastructure maintenance in Pune, with locals urging authorities to prioritize public health and safety through prompt and effective action.
