Pimpri-Chinchwad, Maharashtra – In light of the frequent flooding in Pimpri-Chinchwad during the monsoon seasons, MLA Amit Gorkhe urged Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar to allocate funds for the Pawana River Improvement Project in a time-bound manner. The appeal was made at the recent state-level meeting of the District Annual Plan for the Pune Division held in Pune.
The Persistent Challenge of Monsoon Flooding
Pimpri-Chinchwad is one of the rapidly urbanizing cities in Maharashtra, grappling with the recurring phenomenon of flooding during the monsoon months. The Pawana River, which passes through the very center of the city, swells to overflow its banks as it gets supplemented by heavy rainfall and additional water discharge from upstream dams. This flooding causes immersion in some sections of the city, causing immense disturbances to daily life and even damage to property and security.
The most vulnerable zones are Mamurdi, Kiwale, Ravet, Walhekarwadi, Chinchwad, Kalewadi, Rahatani, Pimpri, Kasarwadi, Fugewadi, Pimple Gurav, Dapodi, and Sangvi. The majority of the victims are residents in Pimpri, Kasarwadi, Fugewadi, and Dapodi, who at times have to be evacuated en masse during sharp showers.
The Pawana River Improvement Project: A much-needed solution:
The Pawana River Improvement Project had been visualized as an umbrella solution to meet the flood concern of Pimpri-Chinchwad. The project ranges from river bank strengthening, deepening and excavation to improve flow, embankment construction, and the designing of efficient stormwater drainage networks. The projects were very vital but lacked appropriate funding.
According to a report in April 2024, it was said that for Pavana, Indrayani and Mula rivers, river improvement initiatives remained merely on paper since nearly a decade. Final development plans had been prepared but awaiting approvals from the state government’s environment department have not let work begin. The Pavana River project, in particular, was estimated to require an expenditure of approximately ₹1,484 crore for the improvement of a 24.40 km stretch within the municipal limits.
MLA Gorkhe’s Advocacy and the Deputy Chief Minister’s Response
At the recent meeting, MLA Amit Gorkhe made a strong appeal for the starting of the Pawana River Improvement Project. He stressed that flooding was an annual affair and required special funds both from the Central and State Governments to address the perennial problem.
Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar replied positively to the plea made by MLA Gorkhe. He instructed Municipal Commissioner Shekhar Singh to work out a comprehensive proposal for implementing the project. Moreover, he declared his willingness to work together with the state government and the corporation authorities to bring forward the start of the project.
Background of Flood in Pimpri-Chinchwad
The flooding challenges in Pimpri-Chinchwad are not a recent phenomenon. Historical data indicates that the city has faced significant flood events, notably during the 2005 Maharashtra floods, which caused widespread devastation across the state. In 2019, the Pavana River overflowed, leading to water entering the Moraya Gosavi Samadhi Temple in Chinchwadgaon and inundating homes in areas like Sanjay Gandhinagar and Mulanagar. citeturn0search19
Recently, in July 2024, heavy rains caused the evacuation of nearly 2,800 residents in Pimpri-Chinchwad as the water discharge from the Pavana Dam increased. The worst-hit areas included Mulanagar, Old Sangvi, Laltopinagar, Bhatnagar, Laxminagar, and Bopkhel, where river water entered many houses.
Environmental and Urbanization Concerns
The frequent floods in Pimpri-Chinchwad can be attributed to both natural and anthropogenic factors. For instance, rapid urbanization has resulted in the intrusion of the floodplains, which has diminished the absorption capacity of the land. Poor waste management has also led to the clogging of natural waterways, thus retarding efficient rainwater flow.
A December 2024 report stated the problems caused by urban flooding in Pune and its surrounding areas, such as Pimpri-Chinchwad. The article stressed the importance of sustainable urban planning and restoration of natural water bodies to combat the effects of such flooding events. citeturn0search9
The Way Ahead: Collective Action and Sustainable Solutions
The positive response from Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar has marked a major step toward easing the flooding problems of Pimpri-Chinchwad. However, a lot of coordinated efforts from all governmental agencies in terms of adequate fund allocation, timely execution of work, and active participation by the local population will be essential for the project’s successful execution.
Multidisciplinary approach- the environment experts propose this multidisciplinary flood management. Involves returning wetlands, and then a solution using the green infrastructure techniques that may incorporate rain gardens or permeable pavements and stricter implementation of controls that discourage unlawful construction in rivers.
Public awareness and community involvement are also very important. The people should be informed of the importance of keeping waterways clean, proper waste disposal, and the dangers of encroachment, which will give them a sense of responsibility toward flood prevention.
The annual monsoon flooding in Pimpri-Chinchwad has been a cause of worry for its citizens for years. The renewed attention to the Pawana River Improvement Project, led by MLA Amit Gorkhe and supported by Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar, seems to be a ray of hope for the community. With proper planning, sufficient funding, and coordination, it is expected that the city will be better prepared to handle and mitigate the effects of future flooding events.