Pune: The construction of retaining walls at flood-prone spots ahead of rainy season, in an effort by the civic body to prevent waterlogging, has progressed at a snail’s pace, after an announcement in this regard was made three years ago.Out of 10 planned locations for Pune Municipal Corporation’s (PMC) flood-protection retaining wall project, including the waterlogging-prone Vitthalwadi area, actual construction has commenced only at three sites.Following the Ambil Odha floods in 2019, PMC identified 88 locations where such walls were needed. “Land acquisition is being delayed at many spots due to legal issues, which has caused a delay in the overall construction of the walls. Apart from this, encroachment is a major hurdle to commencing work at the ground level,” explained a senior civic official.Meanwhile, residents want PMC to speed up the work as the monsoon is almost here. “Work on the retaining wall in our area was supposed to begin nearly four months ago, but it got delayed and started in May,” said Mayur Ingawale, a resident near the highly flood-prone Ektanagari area, adding, “Now, if they will take another four months to finish it, the rainy season will be over. What is the use then?”During the 2024 monsoon as well, water had gushed into residential societies in low-lying areas of Ektanagari and Anandnagar along Sinhagad Road and in Warje and Shivane, located close to the Mutha riverbank. Many residents were stranded in their homes amid waist-high waters.As per PMC officials, a delegation from the civic body, including municipal commissioner Naval Kishore Ram, had visited Ektanagari and various spots in the Sinhagad Road area last week. Ram then directed for measures to be taken to avoid flood-like situations at these locations. “The retaining wall near the nullah in these areas should be completed at the earliest. Like last monsoon, even this year measures like temporary mud walls can be taken to reduce the impact of water discharge into the river,” Ram said in a statement issued at the end of May.City residents have not forgotten how major flooding was recorded in 2019 after Katraj Lake filled to its maximum capacity and water overflowed. At the time, the choked Ambil Odha had inundated Tangewala society near Aranyeshwar during heavy rain, and also waterlogged the parking lot of Treasure Park society, damaging over 600 vehicles, besides causing extensive destruction in Gururaj society.“Over seven years have passed, but the retaining wall here is still half-done. We have been following up with the civic administration for all these years, but it appears that they lack the willingness to work. Only announcements of funds are made for the project, but ground work is not seen,” said Rohit Deshpande, a resident of Sahakarnagar.According to the PMC, areas that witness frequent flooding due to their proximity to the river include Rajput slums, Pulachiwadi, Patil Estate, Ambil Odha, Parvati, Dattawadi, parts of Sinhagad Road, Katraj, Karvenagar, Narayan Peth, Kasba Peth, and Bopodi.
