Pune Municipal Commissioner Orders Preparation of Framework to Prevent Flood Situation in City

Pune:

After a report to find out the causes of the flood situation in Pune city was prepared, the Municipal Commissioner of PMC, Dr. Rajendra Bhosale has now instructed officials to make a short-term and long-term framework for it. In this regard, an important meeting of the officials of the Municipal Corporation and the Irrigation Department was held in the Municipal Corporation today, on December 11.

Due to record-breaking rainfall in the catchment area of Khadakwasla Dam, the water discharge from the dam was increased in large quantities in the month of July this year. As a result, the river started overflowing, and a flood situation arose in the city. The floodwater entered Ekta Nagari on Sinhagad Road, and hundreds of houses were submerged.

Due to this, citizens suffered heavy losses worth lakhs of rupees. Further, floods also occurred in the Deccan, Khilare Vasti, and Patil Estate areas. As the entire city life was devastated by the flood, there were allegations and counter-allegations that took place between the Municipal Corporation and Irrigation Department. Therefore, Municipal Commissioner Bhosale appointed a four-member committee to find out the real cause of the flood. After this committee submitted its report, the first meeting in this regard was held in the Municipal Corporation today.

Additional Commissioner Prithviraj B.P., City Engineer Prashant Waghmare, committee members, and officials of the Irrigation Department were present at this meeting. In this meeting, the municipal commissioner instructed to carry out short-term works to prevent flood situations from arising next year. Further, he also ordered the preparation of a plan to take long-term measures to prevent future risks.

Short-term measures:

1. Removal of encroachments and debris from the riverbed.
2. Strict action against those who throw debris in the riverbed.
3. Responsibility for taking action lies with the concerned department along with the regional office and encroachment department.
4. These departments should initiate action.

Long-term measures:

1. Removal of unnecessary embankments that obstruct the flow of water.
2. Relocation of flood-affected areas.
3. Cluster development of houses in Ekta Nagari.
4. Construction of a boundary wall to prevent flood water.
5. Removal of illegal constructions from the riverbed.
6. Preparation of a detailed plan and planning of actions and measures.