Pune: The Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) has started pre-monsoon work along Ambil Odha on priority. It will begin work in other parts of the city after April 20 when the lockdown is likely to be relaxed for emergency work on certain conditions.
According to PMC, it is necessary to start the work right now, failing which it will be challenging to complete it before the monsoon. The work cannot be stopped or delayed. If left undone, PMC will have to face the consequences during the monsoon, like they faced last year in the areas along Ambil Odha. The flash floods had affected a large part of Katraj-Bibevewadi areas.
The municipal commissioner had instructed the civic staff to start the pre-monsoon work and favoured a centralised tender for the same. The pre-monsoon work includes cleaning of nullahs, storm-water drains and chambers. Normally, the work starts in April every year.
Speaking to Sakal Times, PMC drainage department chief engineer Pravin Gedam said, “We started work along Ambil Odha two weeks ago. Due to lack of labour, we are using machinery in Sukhsagar Nagar, Nanashaheb Peshwa small dam, Treasure Park Society, Balaji Nagar, Dandekar Bridge, Vaikunth Crematorium, Lake Town City and Aranyeshwar areas. We are using 17 earthmovers, 27 dumpers to remove sludge from the nullahs. The machinery and manpower belong to PMC. Till date, we have completed over 30 per cent of work in Ambil Odha area.”
He said, “We floated tenders worth Rs 7.50 crore for the 15 ward offices (Rs 50 lakh for each ward office). We require 150 to 200 workers for the pre-monsoon work. We spoke with contractors for providing manpower. They are ready to provide the same. The tender will open on April 22. Later, we will send names of the contractors, work details, areas and details of labour to the police for permissions.”
There is a nullah network of 400 km in the city. Of these, 170 km of nullahs pass through flood-prone areas, including Katraj, Wadgaonsheri, all peth areas, Hadapsar, Pashan, Dhanori-Vishrantwadi, Hingne, Dattwadi, Aundh and Kothrud.
ROAD DEPARTMENT’S PLAN
The road department has prepared a plan for cleaning the storm-water drainage lines and chambers. Work has been assigned to contractors as per the area, and a deadline is given.
Gedam said, “On Thursday, the standing committee approved eight tenders worth Rs 4 crore. We sent the list of work and labour details to the police for permissions. We are expecting permission and passes for labour and contractors on Friday evening. We will start full-fledged work on Monday.”
PMC road department superintendent engineer Dinkar Gojare said, “We prepared a plan and assigned supervision work to the road department engineers. All road department engineers are engaged in COVID-19 work. Now, we have given additional work to supervise the pre-monsoon work. We have given priority to low-lying areas. There is 600 km of drainage lines and over 25,000 chambers, which we have to clean before the monsoon.”