Pune: Unique Boat Protest by Manjri Activist Slams PMC’s Monsoon Preparedness
Pune: Unique Boat Protest by Manjri Activist Slams PMC’s Monsoon Preparedness
The season’s first pre-monsoon showers have once again exposed the vulnerability of the city’s urban infrastructure. On May 20, 2025, after hours of heavy rainfall, several areas were submerged, resulting in major traffic disruptions and creating serious hazards for commuters.
In a bold demonstration against civic unpreparedness, Gajendra More, a leader from the Nationalist Congress Party (Sharad Pawar faction), rowed a boat through a heavily waterlogged road in Manjri. His protest came in the wake of waterlogging in areas such as Hadapsar, Katraj, and Vishrantwadi, where vehicles were stranded and pedestrians struggled through submerged streets. Residents also reported floodwater entering homes and shops in low-lying neighborhoods.
Frustrated by the persistent failure of authorities to ensure effective drainage systems, More used the boat as a symbol of protest. “This water reflects years of negligence. One spell of rain is enough to paralyze the city,” he said, calling out repeated administrative failures. The incident quickly gained attention online and sparked discussions about civic accountability and infrastructure mismanagement.
Locals gathered in support, echoing concerns about worsening monsoon conditions each year. According to the India Meteorological Department, the downpour was intense, but experts believe that proper drainage maintenance and pre-monsoon planning could have prevented such chaos.
Other regions of Maharashtra, including Kolhapur and Satara, also experienced heavy rainfall. In Kolhapur, the Krishna River overflowed, triggering alerts in nearby villages.
As more rains are expected in the coming days, citizens are calling for urgent action from the municipal authorities to avoid turning waterlogged roads into a seasonal norm. The boat protest has now become a striking image of growing public frustration and a call for immediate change.
