Pune: Kalyaninagar residents blame pipeline delay for flooding

PUNE: Residents have blamed the delay in the laying of the bigger stormwater pipelines in Kalyaninagar for the waterlogging caused by the sharp but intense spell of rain on Sunday evening.
The work has been going on for over eight months. The residents said the delay in the project led to major material and financial damage to their properties and vehicles as the rainwater gushed into several housing societies.
They said the civic administration should ensure a permanent solution to the problem, as such waterloggings have become a routine every monsoon.
In June 2020, the lanes and bylanes of Kalyaninagar were flooded by the rainwater. Similar was the situation last year as well. After the repeated inundation in Kalyaninagar, the civic administration, along with local leaders, identified the root cause of the problem.
Former corporator Yogesh Mulik said, “The nullah from Palace View society has a narrow opening on North Avenue road. This causes flooding. It was agreed to lay down big pipes across the road to increase the water passage capacity. Besides, lanes 12, 6, and 11 have a low-capacity single pipe to carry water. The sanctioned project of an additional pipeline along these lanes is continuing.”
Ajay Bulbule, who has spent many years in Kalyaninagar, said, “This was the fourth consecutive year that Kalyaninagar and Vimannagar experienced flooding. The efforts by the civic body are not enough. It’s now important to involve water management consultants and experts, who will study the issue in detail and work out solutions that can be replicated in other parts of the city.”
Rachana Agarwal, another resident and member of Team Swachh, said, “I’m seeing this nullah overflowing for nearly 30 years. Amid global warming, we are witnessing very heavy rain in a short duration. Unplanned constructions have added to the problem. A proper planning is a must to avert such situations.”