Former Pune MP Vandana Chavan Writes To Eknath Shinde: Calls For Immediate Action On Pune Flooding CrisisÂ
Former Pune MP Vandana Chavan Writes To Eknath Shinde: Calls For Immediate Action On Pune Flooding Crisis
On July 30, 2024, Vandana Chavan, former Member of Parliament and former Mayor of Pune, addressed a pressing letter to Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde regarding the recent devastating floods in Pune. The detailed letter, which Chavan shared on her X (formerly Twitter) account, highlights severe shortcomings in flood management and infrastructure that contributed to the crisis.
Chavan’s letter describes the catastrophic flooding that hit Pune on July 25, 2024, following heavy rainfall. The deluge caused extensive damage across the city, with floodwaters infiltrating homes, damaging vehicles, and leading to significant financial losses. Tragically, three lives were lost due to electric shocks amidst the flooding. Chavan notes that while Pune has seen higher rainfall in the past, the recent events were nonetheless severe.
In her letter, Chavan criticizes the ongoing municipal river improvement project in Koregaon Park, where negligence has led to the collapse of protective walls and erosion of the ground beneath several buildings, placing them at risk. She expresses concern that despite the city’s previous experiences with extreme rainfall, there was no prior warning about the dam’s water release at night. This lack of communication allowed floodwaters to enter homes while residents were asleep.
Chavan also addresses the failure of flood monitoring systems installed under the Smart City initiative, which did not issue warnings despite the investment of millions of rupees. She questions the efficacy of these systems and calls for accountability from the administration.
The letter highlights that the dam released 35,000 cusecs of water on July 25, a discharge lower than the highest recorded in previous years but still sufficient to cause severe flooding. Chavan points out that encroachments in the riverbed and improper disposal of debris have significantly reduced the city’s capacity to handle high water volumes.
Chavan’s requests in the letter are clear and specific:
- 1. Formation of a Special Committee: Establish a committee of experts to review the river beautification project, address issues raised, and make informed decisions regarding the project. Work on the project should be suspended until the review is completed.
- 2. Development of Protocols: Create protocols for river-related work that address sustainable development, climate change, and various aspects of river development.
- 3. Regulation of Debris Disposal: Issue strict orders to the municipal corporation to designate specific sites for debris disposal and prevent unauthorized dumping elsewhere.
- 4. Investigation and Accountability: Conduct a thorough investigation into the administration’s handling of the July 25 flood and take appropriate action against those found responsible.
Chavan’s letter urges the Chief Minister to give urgent attention to these issues to prevent future disasters and ensure effective flood management. The full text of her letter is available on her X account for public review.
