Pune: The civic body has approved a plan worth Rs 369 crore for redevelopment and flood mitigation in Ektanagari and areas near Sinhagad Road.“The estimate committee gave a go-ahead to the proposal last week. It is expected to be tabled before the standing committee soon,” said Dinkar Gojare, a senior official of Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC)’s drainage department.The project includes the construction of retaining walls, removal of debris and increasing the water-carrying capacity of the river stretch near the locality. “PMC is seeking funds from state govt for this plan, but has not received any. So, other options like public-private partnership have to be explored. Even other factors like restrictions and previous legal actions would have to be considered before finalising the actual execution of the plan,” another civic official said on the request of anonymity.On July 24 and 25, 2024, water discharge from Khadakwasla dam caused flash floods, which led to damages in the area, including Ektanagari, Vitthalnagar, and Nimbajnagar along the Mutha river on Sinhagad Road. Many residential colonies and buildings were inundated by floodwater, leading to disruption of daily life.The riverfront development (RFD) project includes a 44km stretch of the Mula, Mutha, and Mula-Mutha rivers flowing through the limits of Pune and Pimpri-Chinchwad. The latest proposal approved by the estimate committee if for the development of one of these sections identified as Stretch 6 — a stretch of around 4.1km between Wadgaon Khurd and Rajaram Bridge.“One of the core objectives of the RFD project is to protect nearby settlements and areas from floods. Citizens and housing societies from the flood-affected areas have requested the implementation of this river improvement project along the Mutha riverbank,” officials have stated in the proposal.RFD’s execution will enhance the floodwater-carrying capacity of the river, and will ensure the safety of residential areas along riverbanks, an official said. The proposed work from Wadgaon Khurd to Rajaram Bridge includes embankments on both sides of the river, developing pathways and ghats, and beautification. The estimated cost was initially around Rs 300 crore but as per detailed preliminary estimates, it now stands at Rs 369 crore.Citizens have asked authorities to take urgent steps to provide relief from frequent flooding, and said the plan shouldn’t remain on paper. Mayur Ingawale, a resident of Ektanagari, said the situation has left families with no viable alternative. “We have no option but to stay here and fight a flood-like situation because the authorities have not completely addressed long-pending problems. The project should be carried out to resolve the problem permanently,” he said.
