Pune: A High Court-mandated committee has been established to reassess the flood lines of the Mula-Mutha rivers in Pune, following concerns that the existing demarcations may not accurately reflect flood risks.

The committee was originally instructed to submit its findings within four weeks, but experts now suggest that the study may require up to seven months to complete.

The Mula and Mutha rivers' flood lines were previously delineated in 2011 and 2016, but these boundaries have come under scrutiny. Petitioners argue that the flood lines do not account for the numerous streams below the Khadakwasla Dam, which also contribute to flooding. This oversight, they claim, poses a significant risk to the safety of Pune’s residents.

The High Court, in its June 26 order, emphasized the need for a comprehensive review and directed the formation of a committee led by the Additional Chief Secretary of the Water Resources Department.

This committee, which includes Prithviraj B.P., Additional Commissioner of the Pune Municipal Corporation, convened its first online meeting today to discuss the prior studies and data from 2011 and 2016.

Although the Irrigation Department asserts that all necessary factors were considered in the original flood line mapping, the committee acknowledges the need for a thorough re-evaluation before submitting the report to the High Court. The committee estimates that this detailed process could extend over the next six to seven months.

Petitioner Vivek Velankar expressed concern over potential delays, noting that if the committee members are determined, the report could be completed within the court’s specified timeframe. However, he warned that a lack of commitment might cause the process to drag on.