'PMC violating stay order on construction near Mutha'

Activists allege civic body laying storm water drainage line near Baba Bhide causeway despite court order

Environmentalists have alleged that the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) is violating a court order by laying a storm water drainage line on the bank of the Mutha river near Baba Bhide causeway. Anupam Saraf, coordinator, Jal Biradari, who has witnessed the PMC works, stated that the PMC was proceeding with the works near the river despite the court order. He alleged that the work was on at the Baba Bhide causeway on the Mutha behind the Deccan Gymkhana bus terminus.


Under scrutiny: The Bombay HC has asked the environment ministry
to inspect the works undertaken by the PMC. Pic/Himanshu Dixit

"This is nothing but contempt of court," he said.u00a0The Bombay High Court had on Monday extended the stay on construction on riverbeds in the city and asked the Ministry of Environment and Forests (MoEF) to inspect the works undertaken by the PMC.u00a0These works also include concretisation of Devnadi, which meets the Mula in Baner and Bavdhan areas. The court order also says that the PMC should make a representation to the MoEF, following which the ministry shall conduct a hearing and site inspections. The court shall give its say after the MoEF takes a decision and submits a report to the court.

The Other Side
Mangesg Dighe, Environment Superintendent, PMC, refuted the charges, saying the civic body was just shifting the pipelines in the already dug up places for the safety of the pipes. "These pipes are valuable and may flow away in a deluge during the monsoon. Putting these pipes near the Baba Bhide causeway at the dug-up spots will at least ensure that they are not washed away with the heavy flow of Mutha floodwaters," he said.u00a0u00a0

CCTV to monitor Ram Nadi
TO prevent further encroachments near the Ram Nadi, the PMC has installed some CCTV cameras to monitor movements in the area. MiD DAY followed the course of the river to take a picture of CCTV equipment installed at the back of Praj Industries near Baner. More CCTV cameras have been put up along the riverbank at Punjab National Bank, Bhelke Chowk and Smruti Chhaya Society.