Sancheti Hospital chowk has adequate storm water drains, but their openings are blocked with garbage and that does not allow water to pass through easily

Drain openings choked

Sancheti Hospital chowk has adequate storm water drains, but their openings are blocked with garbage and that does not allow water to pass through easily

MiD DAY CAMPAIGN: Week 5, DAY 1
Whether it's potholes or water-logging, mosquitoes multiplying or unsafe electricity poles, MiD DAY is coming to your neighbourhood to listen to your monsoon-related problems and get these fixed by the PMC
Get in touch with us: If you have any queries or any information to share, contact us at punemail@mid-day.com

According to the PMC, University Road, which was constructed under Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission (JNNURM) is well-equipped to prevent water-logging at Sancheti Hospital chowk.

But the blocked cement grills shows otherwise and the ground reality was that there was no maintenance. The traffic jams between Indian Meteorological Department or Simala Office and Sancheti Hospital chowk due to water-logging is a headache for traffic police manning the busy University Road and the subsequent Sancheti Hospital chowk.

After constant follow-up from traffic cops the storm water drainage line was finally installed at Sancheti Hospital chowk and was later joined to previously installed storm water drainage line to S G Barve chowk.

But as MiD Day team checked this perennial point for traffic congestion, we realised that if PMC slackens its cleaning work even for a day, there is bound to be a severe blockade on the road, the next time there is a heavy downpour.

Survey results and proposed solutions
Outside IMD Office
Problem: The absence of grills on storm water drain near the pavement just outside IMD on University Road causes inundation. Besides, the opening of these drains are blocked with debris and other construction material. PMC's promise: JNURM Junior Engineer Vilas Gaikwad assured that the blocked drain will be cleared and additional grill will be fitted on the adjoining drain below the pavement within a week to avoid similar problem in future.

Simla office to Sancheti Chowk
Problem: From Simla Office to Sancheti Hospital chowk, the storm water grills fitted on the pavement and on the road next to it are clogged with debris, mud, garbage and dry leaves. MiD-Day pointed out three such areas where grills fitted above were completely blocked leaving no room for water to pass through.
PMC's promise: With the help of cleaning agency the job will be done within a week to avoid water-logging in future.

Outside Sancheti Hospital
Problem: The crucial Sancheti Hospital chowk which joins University Road, Engineering College Bridge, Shivajinagar Court Road and Jangali Maharaj Road gets blocked on the day of downpour. The problem was partially resolved after the storm water drain was installed a month ago, but the cement grills fitted above are completely blocked.
PMC's promise: The Cement grills will be cleared and additional grill will be fitted if necessary to regularise the storm water flow which passes through the drain in a week's time.

Prevent inundation: Office-goer
The stretch between Simla Office to Narvir Tanajiwadi area is always inundated and it's a major problem for commuters who use this road to reach old Pune-Mumbai highway at Wakdewadi. The water-logging problem needs to be solved immediately. - Gangadhar Gatge, Clerk, SSC

Crossing road impossible: Office-goer
Flooding near the pavement and particularly at Sancheti Hospital chowk is a major problem for pedestrians. On the day of downpour crossing the road becomes impossible.u00a0 - M V Bhat, Bank of Maharashtra employee

We ensured drain was installed: Cop
After constant follow-up from traffic division the necessary storm water drain was installed at Sancheti Chowk. If the maintenance and cleaning is done on time, we hope there will be no such problem in future -u00a0Bapusaheb Shinde, API, Traffic