21 June,2011 06:17 AM IST | | Vivek Sabnis
Six months after carrying out repair works in Kothrud, civic body again digs up roads to lay storm water drains
Theu00a0civic body just won't stop digging. Six months after claiming to have completed all repair work on Shrikantji Thackeray Road, Kothrud, the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) is at its burrowing best on the same stretch again, this time to lay storm water drains. The situation at the adjoining Shantiban road and Kubera Chamber road is no different. On since April, work on the roads is still not complete and the civic body seems oblivious to the onset of monsoon.
Behind schedule: The Shrikantji Thackeray Road in Kothrud that was
dug up by the PMC to lay storm water drains. Pic/Nitin Lawate
Residents complain
Residents from the Shrikantji Thackeray Road area are wondering why a kilometre-long stretch dug up to lay the storm water pipelines and connect it to the nullah in the area is taking so much time.u00a0 Residents allege the PMC took much time to identify the path of the nullah, which originates at Chandni Chowk hills. One side of the road opposite Paranjpe Nursery School road has been blocked since April 8. The PMC has not installed any details of the project and the date of its completion on the site. Constructing a cement culvert on the road is being done in the rains. Residents said they did not have much faith in the quality of work, as it was being carried out in the rains.
Mahesh Zagade, former municipal commissioner, had surveyed the area and promised that the work would be completed prior to the monsoon to avoid a deluge-like situation. Last year, the storm water had hit the walls near Shivnagari Housing Society, Kothrud, in which three construction workers, including a pregnant woman, lost their lives. This year the PMC has deepened and widened the nullah path. The society's compound walls have been replaced with mesh walls. The nullah also flows to the nearby Bhujbal township.
Madhuri Sahastrabuddhe who runs a flour mill had to sustain a heavy financial loss when the storm water entered into her mill last year. "I incurred a loss because of faulty planning by the PMC," she said. A hostel for mentally challenged children at Suraj Nagar on Shantiban Road was also flooded.
The other side
Rajesh Guram, Junior Engineer (Roads) PMC, said that a total Rs 7.23 lakh is being spent to prevent flooding on DP Road, Eklavya College and Shrikantji Thackeray Road area. Laying of storm water drainage pipes and chambers at Mahesh Vidyalay, Sagar Colony, Ashish Garden, Kumbare Park and Puram Nagar are in progress, he said.u00a0"Most of the work will be completed in the next 15 to 20 days whereas some shall be completed after the monsoon," he said. "Work on the culverts in three areas, including Paranjpye Nursery School area, shall be completed soon. We are taking extra care so that the storm water does not enter Sagar Colony slums this year."
Voices
It is really strange that the PMC identified the nullah near Paranjpye Nursery School so late. Thanks to the PMC as we are all facing a lot of inconvenience for the last three months. At this pace of work, the culvert shall take another three months to be completed. I also doubt of the quality of work as it is being done during monsoon.
--u00a0Shashikant Kher, resident
The PMC did not help us drain the water when it entered our mill in the last monsoon. They left us in the lurch. There is a possibility of storm water seeping into the mill this year too and the reason is that the PMC has started its nullah improvement work very late. We are not relying on the PMC and have already installed our own motor to use in case of emergency.
--u00a0Sanjay Sahani, employee, Sahastrabudhdhe flour mill
Last year we incurred a total loss of Rs 80,000 as water entered our shop and destroyed our electric gadgets. The PMC is slow in its work of making the nearby nullah broader and installing some additional pipelines. Danger still looms this year as the first rainfall on June 4 caused a lot ofu00a0 damage in the area.
--u00a0B B Chaudhari, Mataji Market, Shivnagari Housing Society
