Pune: Prajit Nair Cracks Down On Negligence In PMC’s Pre-Monsoon Cleanup Drive
Pune: Prajit Nair Cracks Down On Negligence In PMC’s Pre-Monsoon Cleanup Drive ( Representative Image )
Pune, June 4, 2026: With the monsoon season fast approaching, a surprise inspection by Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) Additional Commissioner Prajit Nair has exposed serious lapses in the city’s pre-monsoon drainage cleaning work, prompting disciplinary action against civic officials.
During field visits to areas under the Kasba and Vishrambaugwada ward offices, Nair found that several stormwater chambers and drainage lines, which were reportedly cleaned on paper, were still clogged with garbage, leaves and accumulated silt.
Following the inspection, show-cause notices have been issued to the Assistant Municipal Commissioners of the Kasba and Vishrambaugwada regional offices, along with the concerned sub-engineer. The action comes amid concerns over the city’s preparedness for heavy rainfall.
According to civic officials, responsibility for cleaning stormwater drains, drainage channels and chambers had been assigned to regional offices for year-round maintenance. However, when Nair personally inspected the sites and ordered several stormwater chambers to be opened, the findings contradicted official records claiming the work had been completed.
Large quantities of waste material, tree leaves and silt were found inside the chambers, raising questions about the quality and authenticity of the reported work. Officials present during the inspection were reportedly unable to provide satisfactory explanations.
The discovery has sent a strong message across the civic administration. In a subsequent review meeting with deputy commissioners and regional officers, Nair warned that regular inspections would continue and that strict action, including suspension, could be taken against officials found negligent in executing essential public works.
Nair also directed all departments to expedite pending pre-monsoon works. According to PMC data, approximately 77 percent of the scheduled cleaning work has been completed so far, while the remaining work must be finished on priority before the onset of heavy rains.
To accelerate the process, officials have been instructed to deploy additional manpower and machinery wherever necessary. The civic administration has also announced that physical inspections of drains and culverts will be conducted from next week to assess the quality of work being carried out on the ground.
“During the site inspections, we found that work claimed to have been completed had actually not been carried out. Therefore, show-cause notices have been issued to the concerned officers as well as the engineer responsible,” Additional Municipal Commissioner Prajit Nair said.
The development comes at a crucial time for Pune, as civic authorities race against time to complete monsoon preparedness measures and prevent flooding and waterlogging across the city.
