01 June,2010 09:41 AM IST | | Vivek Sabnis
The first spell of pre-monsoon showers occurred in the city yesterday, but 29 spots identified for repairs to prevent water-logging still await the attention of the Pune Municipal Corpration (PMC).
With the monsoon expected in a week, the city is getting ready to combat the problems it faces every rains, chiefly overflowing drains and accumulation of water on roads.
No work has been done on the 29 spots in the city identified by the PMC for water-logging problems.
Vivek Kharwadkar, additional city engineer, Road Department, PMC, said the department was still in the process of creating a team to go and take a look at the spots.
"We will complete the repair once the rain stops," he said.
The 29 spots the PMC had identified include spots in Deccan Gymkhana, Shivaji Nagar, Yerawada, Viman Nagar, Swargate, Bund Garden, Hadapsar, Vishrantwadi and Khadki.
PMC assurance
Pramod Nirbhawane, development engineer, made the assurance that pre-monsoon preparation work was on track and would be completed in time.
"We are cleaning nullas (streams) which meet the river with the storm water. The work has already started at Kharadi, Wadgaon, Baner," said Nirbhawane. "Cleaning work on the 2,300 km of drainage line in the city is also in progress. It also helps drain rainwater into the river."
But residents of many areas in the city complained that they had been ignored monsoon after monsoon.
"What about areas near Bhusari Colony on Paud road, which is a nightmare during the monsoon," asked Arun Puranik, a resident of the area. "Our area is in a mess. Last year it was difficult to reach the Kothrud bus stand. It is very unsafe for two-wheelers."
Businessman Pramod More, a resident of Parihar Chowk in Aundh, said that suburbs were always ignored by authorities.
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"Being a suburban area, the civic body always takes time to repair roads that develop potholes after heavy rain every year," said More.
If the PMC does not pull up its socks, residents living in and around the problem zones fear another nightmare of a monsoon this year.
