Pune: Mula-Mutha floodline could be demarcated in 7 months
Pune: A committee has been set up to demarcate the floodline of Mula-Mutha river. The HC set a 4-week deadline for the purpose but it was learnt that the exercise will take around seven months.
The blue and red floodlines of the Mula-Mutha river flowing through the city was demarcated in 2011 and 2016, respectively. However, the floodlines have not been demarcated properly. There are many nullahs downstream the Khadakwasla Dam, which were not considered while fixing the floodlines.
Therefore, a PIL was filed in the HC alleging that a flood risk still prevailed and safety of residents living on the banks of the river was not considered while demarcating the floodlines. The petitioners include environmentalist Sarang Yadwadkar, civic activists Vivek Velankar and Vijay Kumbhar.
The HC directed the formation of a committee led by the Additional Chief Secretary of the Water Resources Department to review the floodline issue. The panel is supposed to submit a report within four weeks. The order was issued on June 26.
The committee has been set up and Additional Municipal Commissioner BP Prithviraj is its member. An online meeting of the panel took place on Monday. A discussion took place on details gathered to demarcate the 2011 and 2016 floodlines.
It was said that the Irrigation Department demarcated the floodlines considering all the aspects. Therefore, the old report should be reviewed completely and then a report should be presented before the court. It will require a 6-7 months period.
Prithviraj BP said, “Main objections are about the floodlines of Mutha river. The committee discussed the floodline fixed in 2016. Details gathered by the Irrigation Department then need to be analysed again. Then a fresh report will be submitted in the court.”
Vivek Velankar, a petitioner, said, “If the panel members decide, they can prepare the report within the deadline. The work could be delayed for a lack of will power.”
