Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) has completed a detailed survey of flood-affected Ektanagar area situated on Sinhagad Road, identifying 103 buildings and 67 shops that will be part of a comprehensive rehabilitation plan. This plan will follow the cluster development model previously implemented in Thane and is expected to cost approximately ₹698 crore.
Ektanagar was severely impacted by the heavy rainfall in the catchment areas of Pune city and the Khadakwasla dam project, leading to the overflow of the Mutha River.
The floods inundated several housing societies and commercial establishments in the area, resulting in financial losses worth crores. Despite ongoing recovery efforts, many residents are still grappling with the aftereffects of the disaster.
Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, along with Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar and MNS chief Raj Thackeray, visited the affected areas to assess the situation.
During his visit, CM Shinde reassured residents that they were not responsible for the damages, as the constructions existed before the blue flood line was drawn. He announced a special cluster development project for the permanent rehabilitation of affected citizens, offering hope to the beleaguered community.
The PMC’s survey of Ektanagar identified 1,383 flats and 67 shops that fall within both the blue and red flood lines. The total residential area covered amounts to 87,399 square meters, with an additional 1,340 square meters of commercial space.
The proposed rehabilitation will involve demolishing existing buildings and constructing new ones, modeled after a similar project successfully carried out in Thane.
Under current building regulations, a cluster can be developed on a plot larger than two hectares in areas with low population density. The Ektanagar project is expected to be completed at an estimated cost of ₹698 crore. Officials are currently reviewing different funding models to determine how the project will be financed.
To expedite the project, a high-level committee led by the secretary of the Urban Development Department will be established. This committee will be tasked with making key decisions related to the rehabilitation plan. Additionally, local representatives and residents have been engaged in discussions to ensure the smooth execution of the project.
A large plot of land in Ektanagar, currently reserved for a playground by the PMC, is located within the blue flood line. There is a proposal to shift this reservation to another area within the blue flood line, allowing the reserved land to be used for residential purposes. This reallocation could help accelerate the first phase of the rehabilitation project.