On June 11, 2024, the Pune Municipal Corporation’s (PMC) Standing Committee took a significant step towards addressing the city’s recurrent flooding issues by approving a tender worth Rs 97.94 crore. This initiative is part of a larger Central Government scheme aimed at implementing long-term flood prevention measures in Pune.
Addressing Criticism and Infrastructure Challenges
The PMC has been under fire for its inadequate maintenance of gutters and stormwater drains, which has exacerbated flooding during heavy rains. The recent approval of the tender is a response to these criticisms and aims to mitigate flood risks across various parts of the city.
Central Government’s Urban Flood Risk Management Plan
Pune is one of seven cities included in the Central Government’s Urban Flood Risk Management Plan, alongside Ahmedabad, Bengaluru, Chennai, Hyderabad, Kolkata, and Mumbai. This comprehensive plan, sanctioned by the National Disaster Management Authority, outlines systematic approaches to managing urban flood risks.
Financial Support and Project Scope
Under this plan, the PMC is set to receive Rs 250 crore over a span of five years. The funding, sourced from the 14th and 15th Finance Commission, will be directed towards extensive infrastructure upgrades to prevent flooding. These upgrades are designed to fundamentally change how Pune manages its flood risk.
Initial Projects and Expected Outcomes
The initial phase of the project includes several critical components aimed at enhancing the city’s flood resilience:
- Stormwater Drains: Installation of new and efficient stormwater drainage systems to manage rainwater more effectively.
- Concrete Canals: Construction of durable concrete canals to direct excess water flow.
- Groundwater Recharge: Initiatives to increase groundwater levels, thereby reducing surface water runoff.
- Deepening Nullahs: Widening and deepening of existing nullahs (streams) to improve their capacity to carry stormwater.
- Rainwater Harvesting: Implementation of rainwater harvesting systems through hill trenches to capture and store rainwater.
A detailed pre-calculation sheet for these projects, amounting to Rs 147 crore, had been prepared earlier, laying the groundwork for these extensive flood management efforts.
