Pune: In an upscale neighborhood in Pune, the widening of the Kalyaninagar bridge has triggered flooding concerns among residents of Koregaon Park. The civic project involves diverting the flow of the Bhairoba Nullah, a vital waterway passing through the locality, by dumping construction debris into its course.
The widening of the Kalyaninagar bridge by 11 meters is part of a broader road-widening initiative on North Main Road. The current approach involves manually diverting the nullah’s flow by depositing debris into the stream and creating a separate opening a few meters away to allow space for building a bridge column.
Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) officials assure residents that the flow of the nullah will be restored once the project is completed. However, acknowledging the time-consuming nature of the construction, they note that the duration required to construct the pillars and complete the bridge poses a temporary challenge.
Concerns have been raised by residents, including Abhijit Gaikwad, who highlighted unauthorized tree cutting at the project site and emphasized the need for adherence to due process and regulations. The lack of prior information and communication from PMC officials regarding the significant project has left residents frustrated.
Others in the area are alarmed by the potential risks associated with erratic weather conditions. Residents like Rohan Desai express worries about a high-risk flood situation, particularly given the stream’s proximity to Renuka Vasti, which already faces issues of garbage dumping and blockages.
PMC’s chief engineer and project department head, Srinivas Bonala, addressed the concerns, stating that the road and bridge widening projects involve complex technicalities. He mentioned ongoing discussions with civic coordinators for utilizing land next to the bridge, addressing the non-operational sewage treatment plant, and seeking drainage department permission to remove a non-functional pipeline across the nullah. Bonala assured residents that once the foundation and column of the bridge are completed, debris will be removed, and the natural flow of the nullah will be reinstated.
