Pune Municipal Corporation Plans ‘Sponge Gardens’ To Prevent Flooding And Boost Groundwater In Newly Merged Areas
Pune Municipal Corporation Plans ‘Sponge Gardens’ To Prevent Flooding And Boost Groundwater In Newly Merged Areas
Pune, October 20, 2025: In an effort to curb flooding and improve groundwater levels, the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) has proposed an innovative urban solution called the ‘Sponge Garden.’ The initiative will be implemented in newly merged areas such as Lohegaon, Mundhwa, Hadapsar, and Dhayari.
The concept of a Sponge Garden involves creating designated green zones around water bodies that naturally absorb excess rainwater, helping to prevent floods while replenishing the groundwater table. According to PMC City Engineer Prashant Waghmare, “The Sponge Garden reservation has been proposed for the areas surrounding water bodies. It will assist in flood control and promote natural groundwater recharge.”
The project forms part of the draft development plan for nine villages recently incorporated into the PMC limits. These areas include Lohegaon, Keshavnagar in Mundhwa, Sadesatranali in Hadapsar, Uttamnagar, Shivne, Ambegaon Khurd, parts of Undri and Dhayari, and Ambegaon Budruk. The current population of these areas stands at around six lakh and is projected to rise to 8.1 lakh by 2035. The development plan aims to accommodate this growth with upgraded civic amenities and sustainable infrastructure.
PMC has invited public suggestions and objections on the draft plan within 60 days. Citizens can view the maps and reports at the Assistant Director, Town Planning office, Pune Branch, and at the Building Development Department in Shivajinagar. The documents are also available online at the PMC’s official website: [www.pmc.gov.in](http://www.pmc.gov.in).
The civic body hopes that the Sponge Garden model will serve as a replicable urban planning solution to reduce flooding risks across the city.
