Hinjewadi Flooding Crisis: CM’s Office Orders Urgent Study, Crackdown On Drainage Violations
Hinjewadi Flooding Crisis: CM’s Office Orders Urgent Study, Crackdown On Drainage Violations
Pune, July 3, 2025 – In response to rising civic complaints and repeated flooding in Hinjewadi, Ashwini Bhide, Principal Secretary to Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, has directed key agencies including the PMRDA and MIDC to immediately conduct a detailed hydraulic study and assess the feasibility of a comprehensive stormwater drainage system in the IT hub.
The instructions were issued during a high-level review meeting chaired by Bhide after PMRDA Commissioner Yogesh Mhase submitted a detailed report to the Chief Minister’s Office (CMO). The report outlined the escalating problems in Hinjewadi Phases I, II, and III and the current interventions undertaken.
Senior officials from the PMRDA, Maharashtra Industrial Development Corporation (MIDC), Pimpri Chinchwad Municipal Corporation (PCMC), and the Public Works Department (PWD) attended the meeting. Discussions revolved around land acquisition for infrastructure, solid waste management, temporary drainage systems, pothole repairs, and inter-agency coordination for long-term planning.
PMRDA has now been tasked with preparing a hydraulic study and a feasibility report for a full-fledged stormwater drainage network. According to PMRDA “Temporary drainage channels will be constructed and continuous pothole repairs will be undertaken. The PWD and MIDC will initiate land acquisition for major roads and flyovers.”
To address solid waste concerns, MIDC has committed to setting up a 10-tonne-per-day waste processing facility. PMRDA will identify and transfer a suitable plot to Maan Gram Panchayat for the project.
The agencies have also been directed to refer to PCMC’s policy guidelines for managing natural drains and jointly prepare a comprehensive plan to tackle flood risks.
Recent rains have triggered widespread waterlogging in Hinjewadi due to the illegal diversion of natural streams by builders and companies. PMRDA has identified 13 such sites and announced that FIRs against the violators will be registered within the next 10 days.
“We have pinpointed locations and individuals responsible for altering stream paths. These unauthorized constructions are a major cause of flooding in the Metro corridor and key phases,” Mhase said. He confirmed that joint operations with MIDC and PCMC have already begun, focusing on drain cleaning, removal of illegal stalls, pothole repair, and road works near Metro stations and IT offices.
However, he added that ongoing heavy rainfall has delayed several projects.
The worsening civic situation has drawn sharp criticism from citizens and public representatives. Baramati MP Supriya Sule recently wrote to the CMO demanding swift action. Other local MPs and MLAs have also raised the issue in meetings and inspections.
The CM’s Office now appears to be taking serious note, promising urgent intervention and long-term solutions for the IT corridor’s crumbling infrastructure.
