Pune: Mayor Manjusha Nagpure has directed PMC administration to prepare a comprehensive plan of pre-monsoon works and overall preparedness, seeking a preliminary report on these works within the next four days, senior civic officials said on Wednesday. They said Nagpure also intended to inspect several flood-prone areas before the pre-monsoon activities begin. “She also directed officials to wrap up all pre-monsoon works within the designated timeline to prevent last-minute rush,” a senior civic official said. After assuming office two days ago, the mayor had said strengthening civic services and improving coordination in project execution would be among her priorities. Along with the pre-monsoon action plan, Nagpure has also told the administration to share the progress of the ongoing river pollution abatement project.Residents lauded the mayor’s proactive stance but expressed concerns about the quality of previous works. Vivek Velankar of Sajag Nagrik Manch said despite crores of rupees being spent every year, many parts of the city continued to flood. He suggested that a third-party audit be conducted for all pre-monsoon works.Sinhagad Road resident Ashish Landge said poorly planned and unscientific pre-monsoon efforts often led to flooding. “The cleaning staffers lack proper training, and the administration must address these shortcomings,” he said.Last year, an early monsoon — arriving in the last week of May, nearly two weeks ahead of schedule —posed major challenges for the civic body in completing pre-monsoon works.
