Flyover covers drainage, flooding plagues chowk in Pune

PUNE: Shop owners at Gera Junction have been incurring damage to property and mounting expenses during the monsoon due to flooding of their basement since the construction of the Lullanagar Chowk flyover in 2019.
Members of Gera Junction Condominium committee have submitted several letters over two years to the ward office highlighting the issue. They want a functioning drainage line to replace the current one blocked by the construction of the flyover.However, they said no action has been taken as yet.
Santosh Paranjpe, president of the committee, who owns a homoeopathy dispensary in the building, said that before the flyover was constructed, they had access to the drainage line located just opposite the building. Their security guards would raise the drain lid and water would flow into the nullah. But the entire system has been blocked since the flyover was built.
"We were told then that another drainage line would be provided but nothing was done. During the rainy season, every time the basement gets flooded, we spend Rs40,000-Rs50,000 to pump the water out in addition to the added expense of vehicle repaired. If the water goes into the lift room, we have to spend another Rs50,000 to fix the damage," he added.
Pankaj Kasat, shop owner and a committee member said, "Since the junction is at a depression, water from all four sides collects here. We also have to keep the main switch off for three-four days till the water is pumped out of the basement where the meters are located to avoid a complete short circuit. This heavily impacts our business."
Lokesh Kasat, member of the management committee and shop owner in the complex, said, "The installation of the drainage line must be done before the monsoon. Even after paying high property taxes, we are not provided with basic facilities."
Mohan Chavhan, junior engineer at Wanowrie-Ramtekdi ward office said that an assessment of the location was carried out last year during monsoon. "We visited the site and intimated the drainage department of PMC. We will follow it up and do the needful," he said.
Sainath Babar, ex-corporator of the area, said "I will reach out to the concerned PMC officials before the monsoon so the residentswill not have to face it this year."