Pune News: Rainwater Harvesting At Fergusson College Yields Positive Results
Pune News: Rainwater Harvesting At Fergusson College Yields Positive ResultsÂ
Rainwater harvesting initiatives at Fergusson College (FC) are proving successful a year after their implementation. The Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) reports significant improvements in groundwater levels and reduced waterlogging around the college.
In March 2023, Pune Municipal Corporation constructed deep trenches near FC, filled with natural filtration materials like sand, brick, and stone. These trenches were designed to capture rainwater runoff from Hanuman Tekdi, addressing frequent flooding issues. Previously, heavy rains caused regular waterlogging on FC Road, Jangli Maharaj (JM) Road, and Apte Road, with trouble spots including Deccan Depot, Good Luck Chowk, and Bal Gandharva Rang Mandir.
The trenching project was a collaborative effort between PMC’s road and drainage departments. It utilized data from a 2016 drainage survey conducted by a private agency, which identified 234 nullahs over 362 km and noted areas of encroachment. The new initiative builds on these findings to improve rainwater management and redirection.
Ongoing work includes a trench near FC ground, with future projects planned for Law College Road, Kothrud, Taljai Hill, Vetal Hill, and Katraj. A report by the Advanced Centre for Water Resources Development and Management (Acwadam) reveals that Pune has lost three billion litres of groundwater storage due to construction. The city currently has nine main and 19 additional unconfined aquifer systems.
The PMC’s efforts aim to mitigate flooding and enhance groundwater recharge, offering a promising solution for urban water management challenges.
