Pune Canal Breach Triggers Flooding and Major Traffic Disruption
A significant breach in the Mutha Right Bank canal in Pune during the early hours of Monday has prompted the state irrigation department to announce a comprehensive assessment of the entire 28-kilometer stretch flowing through the city from Khadakwasla to Phursungi. This inspection, however, will only commence after April due to ongoing agricultural water supply priorities.
Immediate Impact and Emergency Response
The breach, which occurred around 3 AM on Monday, resulted in substantial flooding across residential and industrial zones in Hadapsar. Affected areas included Magarpatta township, Amanora main road, the Magarpatta-Mundhwa Road stretch, and Solapur Road. At the time of the incident, water discharge was approximately 1,100 cusecs, leading to a sudden overflow that caused massive traffic congestion during peak commute hours. The situation was brought under control by around 2 PM.
In response, the irrigation department has initiated temporary repairs by plugging the breach with a soil embankment. Officials estimate that these repairs will require an additional four days to complete. Consequently, the release of water from Khadakwasla dam into the canal has been suspended and will only resume once the repairs are finalized.
Planned Inspection and Long-Term Concerns
An official from the irrigation department stated, "We have decided to inspect the entire canal. However, it is not possible to do so immediately, because our priority is to maintain water supply for summer crops. The last bit of release will wind up by the last week of April, after which comprehensive inspections will be taken up from Khadakwasla to Phursungi. The department will plan its future course of action based on the findings."
Local residents and corporators have expressed growing concerns about the canal's deteriorating condition. Priya Gadade, a local corporator from Janata Vasahat—where a major breach occurred in 2018—highlighted that most promises made after the previous incident remain unfulfilled. "The canal is unsafe. There is no proper vigil or monitoring," she emphasized.
Ajit Ghule, another corporator from Hadapsar, added that all canals in the area require major repairs. "The walls of the canals are mostly seeping. Structures aplenty have come up along the canals hampering overall flow and safety. Local residents face various problems because of lack of maintenance," he noted.
Investigations and Preventive Measures
Within hours of the breach, Pune Mayor Manjusha Nagpure directed the civic administration to collaborate with the irrigation department to implement measures at all vulnerable locations along the canal to prevent future seepage and breaches.
Meanwhile, the irrigation department is investigating potential causes for the breach. Officials are examining whether nearby pipelines and a structure built across the canal years ago may have contributed to wall weakening. "We are checking if these factors led to weakening of the wall," they added.
