After water cut by PMC, Air Force authorities agree to facilitate rerouting of sewage pipeline

Pune – The Air Force Administration at Air Force Station Lohegaon has come out strongly against the allegation leveled by the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) that Air Force Station authorities had blocked a drainage pipeline that passed through the Air Force Station that carried untreated sewage water from the Lohegaon village. The same came out in news articles in various newspapers in Pune.

According to Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC), the Air Force Station (AFS) Pune officials blocked the swage line few days back, which lead to accumulation of sewage water near Lohegaon bus stop. After this was brought to notice of PMC commissioner Saurabh Rao on Tuesday, he ordered cutting water supply to the AFS.

“In reality, the sewage pipeline ends abruptly inside that Air Force Camp’s residential area accommodating around 500 air warriors and their families. This sewage water ends up in the open making a huge pond of filthy water and unbearable stench. Apart from being a severe environmental threat, it is a major health hazard to the Air warriors staying in the vicinity. Also, the accumulated sewage water has a tendency to invite bird activity close to the runway which is an aerospace safety hazard to the civil fights and IAF aircraft. This persisting problem has been routinely brought to the notice of Lohegaon Gram Panchayat and PMC authorities since 2014, but no action has been taken by them. Authorities at Air Force Station fear that with the onset of monsoon, the situation will become grimmer and could go beyond control with a likely chance of taking epidemic proportions”, Air Force issued a press release on Wednesday.

On Wednesday meeting was held between PMC deputy mayor Dr Sidharth Dhende and AFS chief Air Commodore KVS Nair and other officials from both sides. PMC officials assured to address the problem with in two months, while Air Force officials will allow temporary passage of sewage.

“It is noteworthy that IAF supports daily 200 civil flights from this Station apart from its assigned role. The Air Force has always been in the forefront in all kinds of Humanitarian Aid and Disaster Relief (HADR) operations and would not do anything that puts their Civilian brethren in harm’s way”, the Air Force statement reads.