PMC’s Rs 55 Crore Rainwater Project Fails to Prevent Chaos in Dhanori, Kalas, and Wadgaon Sheri

Pune, 8th June 2024: Three years ago, the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) sanctioned Rs 55 crore to address heavy rain issues in Dhanori, Kalas, and Wadgaon Sheri. Despite this, heavy rains this year have caused chaos in these areas. Inadequate rain gutters and drains led to waterlogging on roads and in societies, raising the question: What was done with the Rs 55 crore?

On Tuesday (4th June), Pune experienced heavy rains, severely affecting Dhanori, Vishrantwadi, Wadgaon Sheri, Viman Nagar, Khese Park, Yerawada, Nagar Road, Koregaon Park, Pune Railway Station, and Bund Garden. Roads were submerged, with water levels exceeding knee height in many places. Traffic was blocked on the main road in Dhanori due to river-like water flow.

A similar situation occurred in November 2021. During a PMC general meeting, corporators highlighted the issues, blaming insufficient rain drains, encroachment on the drains, 90-degree turns in the drains for construction, reduced drain widths, and walls built within drains for the flooding.

After the heavy rains three years ago, Rs 55 crore was sanctioned for the eastern region. This fund was intended for laying rainwater drains, sewage channels, enlarging culverts, and increasing drain capacity in newly developed areas. The culvert on the Vishrantwadi-Dhanori road was widened, and rainwater drainage works were done in some areas.

However, the PMC administration does not have consolidated information on these works. Additionally, transfers of the PMC Commissioner, Additional Commissioner, and Drainage Department officials have left newly arrived officials unaware of the measures taken for floods in Dhanori, Lohegaon, and Yerawada. This information has not been communicated to them.

Since 2016, Pune has faced heavy rainfall in short periods. Phases 1, 2, and 3 were initiated to address water overflow at around 170 locations, funded by Rs 55 crore. Officials claim this fund was not solely for Dhanori and Lohegaon. The exact scope and location of the work remain unclear.

Works Done in Two Years:

– A 1200 mm diameter rain drain was laid at Dhanori’s Laxmi Nagar Society.

– Box culverts constructed at Mayur Kilbil Society.

– A 150-meter long, 500 mm diameter rain drain laid at Dhanori Police Chowki.

– Rain drain laid at Mangaldas Road.

Prithviraj BP, Additional Commissioner, PMC, stated, “Information on the works done in Dhanori after the floods will be collected. PMC will take measures to prevent flooding in this area.”