PMC Intensifies Efforts Amid Concerns, Promises Rigorous Monitoring of Cleanup Activities
Pune News : The Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) is ramping up its pre-monsoon preparations across all 14 civic wards in the city, aiming to complete essential tasks by mid-May. These efforts primarily focus on cleaning stormwater lines, channels, and ducts, alongside necessary repairs to address waterlogging concerns during the impending monsoon season.
Recent inspections by top PMC officials have targeted waterlogging-prone areas, seeking to evaluate the situation and strategize effective solutions.
Despite the administration’s optimism, civic activists and citizens have raised doubts about the efficacy of these pre-monsoon activities, emphasizing the importance of continuous monitoring to prevent substandard works that could exacerbate flooding and waterlogging issues.
Vivek Velankar, a prominent city-based activist, has advocated for third-party inspections of the cleaning works, citing the recurring emergence of new flooding spots despite annual cleaning efforts. Such calls underscore the critical need for rigorous oversight to ensure the quality and effectiveness of the undertaken tasks.
In response, ward officers are establishing monitoring cells within their respective areas to supervise cleaning works diligently. With over 48,000 chambers and approximately 190 km of stormwater channels slated for cleaning in the next six weeks, the PMC faces significant challenges in enhancing the city’s drainage infrastructure, particularly in smaller roads and service lanes vulnerable to flash floods.
While concerns persist regarding the adequacy of existing stormwater infrastructure, the PMC has completed the tendering process for appointing agencies for cleaning works, despite bidding below the basic price. This has raised questions about the potential compromise in the quality of work, although the administration remains committed to ensuring robust monsoon preparedness.
Furthermore, collaborative efforts with the state irrigation department are underway to address garbage accumulation and urgent maintenance needs in specific areas like Hadapsar and Sahakarnagar, demonstrating a multi-agency approach to tackle monsoon-related challenges comprehensively.
As the monsoon season looms closer, the PMC and its stakeholders are steadfast in their endeavors to bolster the city’s resilience against heavy rainfall and minimize the adverse impact of flooding on residents and infrastructure.
