Clear Drain Debris Or Face No Payment, Warns Pune Municipal Commissioner
Clear Drain Debris Or Face No Payment, Warns Pune Municipal Commissioner
Pune, May 14, 2025 — With the monsoon approaching, Pune Municipal Commissioner Rajendra Bhosale has issued a stern warning to civic contractors: completely remove all silt and debris from stormwater drains and sewer lines or forfeit payment.
The directive follows widespread complaints that silt and waste removed from drains were being left beside manholes and roadside gutters, only to be washed back into the system during recent heavy rains.
“It’s true that in some places, drains got clogged again as the removed silt mixed with rainwater and re-entered the system. I have instructed officials to ensure that contractors remove debris entirely. If they don’t comply, they will not be paid,” said Commissioner Bhosale.
Drain-cleaning operations are currently underway across the city in preparation for the monsoon. However, residents have raised concerns after Monday and Tuesday downpours led to waterlogging in several areas, including Undri, Narhe, Padmavati, Shankar Maharaj Math, KK Market, parts of Camp.
Videos shared by citizens with the municipal corporation clearly showed sewage backflow and clogged drains, allegedly due to improper disposal of debris. The footage has intensified public pressure on the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) to enforce stricter action.
To make matters worse, the newly inaugurated Sinhagad Road flyover saw water flowing over its surface, exposing the absence of a proper drainage system on the structure.
PMC officials have said they are taking corrective measures and reviewing the work of contractors across all city zones. With more rains forecast, the municipal body faces increasing urgency to ensure Pune’s drainage infrastructure is ready in time.
