Excessive concretization of land in housing societies main culprit for flooding, says PMC Commissioner Rajendra Bhosale

In response to mounting criticism from citizens and political parties regarding flooding and waterlogging in Pune’s city roads during heavy rains, Rajendra Bhosale, Pune Municipal Commissioner has pinpointed one major culprit: excessive concretisation of land in housing societies.

Bhosale emphasized that the inundation woes stem from the lack of open land for water to seep into the ground. He stressed the need for collaboration to tackle this issue, suggesting that housing societies create bare land trenches to facilitate water percolation. To address this concern comprehensively, the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) is set to draft a policy prohibiting complete concretisation of housing society grounds.

Furthermore, Bhosale highlighted the strain on the city’s stormwater drains, stating that they cannot handle the increased water volume brought by unexpected heavy rainfall. The PMC is actively identifying chronic waterlogging spots and working towards solutions, including investigating the diversion and closure of drains.

In light of recent tragedies, such as the drowning of a girl in a pit dug for road construction on the Katraj-Kondhwa road, Bhosale vowed to take action against responsible parties. Contractors and civic engineers will face consequences for neglecting safety measures at construction sites.

Bhosale’s statements underscore the urgent need for proactive measures to mitigate flooding and waterlogging issues in Pune. With the impending policy framework and increased scrutiny on construction safety, the PMC aims to safeguard citizens from the perils of monsoon-induced calamities.