Pune Flood Preparedness Questioned: PMC Under Fire for Misuse of Rs 250 Crore NDMA Funds
Pune, 11th June 2024: Amidst substantial funding from the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), Pune’s flood preparedness efforts have come under scrutiny following recent rains. The Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) faces criticism for its alleged misuse of the Rs 250 crore received from the NDMA, intended for disaster management.
Since 2021-22, Pune has been receiving funds from the NDMA under the Urban Flood Risk Management (UFRM) project. However, despite these allocations, the recent floods in Pune have revealed deficiencies in the effective utilization of these funds. Residents express dissatisfaction over the perceived squandering of approximately Rs 250 crores, evident in the city’s inadequate protection against flooding.
Under the UFRM project, Pune receives Rs 50 crore annually from the Fifteenth Finance Commission, aimed at implementing short and long-term flood mitigation measures. Nonetheless, PMC’s mismanagement of disaster preparedness has been evident in the aftermath of recent floods, raising concerns about potential loss of life and property in future flood events.
The PMC had proposed a comprehensive disaster management plan, approved by the NDMA, with an allocated budget of Rs 286.7 crores under the UFRM project. However, despite the establishment of an NDMA center and the appointment of personnel, the actual implementation of these measures has fallen short, particularly evident in the absence of field personnel during heavy rains before the monsoon season.
Furthermore, while training was provided to thousands of PMC employees, operational issues, such as non-functional telephone lines in control rooms, have been reported by citizens. Similarly, despite budgetary provisions for the purchase of essential equipment like rain gauge stations and CCTV cameras, the actual implementation status remains unclear.
Vijay Shivale from Surajya Sarvangin Vikas Sanstha in Pune questioned, “PMC claims that Pune’s disaster plan, as expected by the NDMA, is in its final stages. However, there is no information about when exactly this plan will be completed. Will it be ready after the monsoon season?”
Ganesh Sonu, Head of the Disaster Management Cell at the PMC, affirmed, “Flood sensors have been installed at 50 locations in Pune city, and essential items and equipment have been procured under Pune City Disaster Management.”
