1 week Ago
1 2 Pune: The civic body has decided to approach defence establishments to carry out monsoon preparedness works in four critical areas identified, so far, in the vicinity of Vishrantwadi, Yerawada, Dhanori and Pashan to avoid waterlogging when the rains finally arrive. The move comes amid pre-monsoon works gaining momentum in the city . The Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) will mostly take up works pertaining to widening and cleaning of nullahs, provision of stormwater drains and channels and proper arrangements to maintain flow of rainwater.
The administration has prepared detailed plans, which will be shared with defence authorities to seek approval to carry out the works. PMC has identified over 200 critical spots of waterlogging ahead of the monsoon. Of these, 61 locations will be taken up on priority.
The civic body has received approval from the traffic police department to start the works at more than 30 spots with conditions like minimum disruptions to vehicular traffic. Officials said, "We have sought permission for digging of stormwater lines and carrying out of repairs. The traffic police have told us to conduct maximum of the work during night and finish it within stipulated deadlines.
Plans are being made for the same ever since the traffic police gave its approval." Meanwhile, citizens have said PMC needs to focus on roads in low-lying areas that often witness waterlogging during the monsoon. Ajinkya Rahane, a resident of Vishrantwadi, said neighbourhoods like Dhanori, parts of Vishrantwadi, and Airport Road are prone to accumulation of rainwater.
"We have been demanding that the administration make provisions for stormwater lines even on smaller roads," he added. Civic activist Vivek Velankar said every year, during the four months of monsoon, citizens face immense hardships because of waterlogging and poor road conditions. "We have been asking for a third-party audit of the work," he said.
PMC sources said this time, the civic body plans to meet former corporators to seek their opinions on pre-monsoon works in their respective areas. Additionally, the civic administration has decided not to initiate payment to contractors in case projects are not completed as expected. Officials said contractors will have to upload photos of the works done and also clear the debris and garbage removed from the stormwater chambers and nullahs.
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