Mutha Bank Debris Sparks Flood Fears

Pune: The persistent issue of construction debris being dumped along the Mula riverbank has sparked significant concern among Bopodi residents and environmentalists, who fear it could exacerbate flooding risks. This area, extending to the confluence of the Pavana and Mula rivers, has seen debris accumulation reaching the height of a two-storied building.

The Pimpri Chinchwad Municipal Corporation (PCMC) is currently engaged in constructing a bridge connecting Aundh and Sangvi across the river. “This has been a recurring problem since 2016. At least 5 to 10 trucks are seen dumping debris into the riverbed daily,” a Bopodi resident stated, highlighting the frequency of the issue. The situation escalated in 2019 when urban flooding in the vicinity led to water infiltrating society basements and causing extensive damage to multiple vehicles. In response to these concerns, PCMC officials are taking steps to mitigate the problem. Sanjay Kulkarni, head of the environment department at PCMC, acknowledged the issue. “During the bridge construction, some mud was stored on the bank by the contractor. We are making efforts to remove it. Meanwhile, a dedicated squad is monitoring the area to prevent further debris dumping,” Kulkarni said.

Environmentalists argue that the debris not only poses a significant flooding risk but also harms the river’s ecosystem. The accumulated debris can obstruct water flow, leading to increased water levels during heavy rains, which in turn can cause flooding in adjacent residential areas. The civic body’s proactive measures, such as deploying monitoring squads and removing the stored mud, are steps in the right direction. However, residents are calling for more stringent enforcement and long-term solutions to prevent the recurrence of this issue. The bridge construction project, which aims to improve connectivity between Aundh and Sangvi, inadvertently contributes to the problem. Contractors often use riverbanks as temporary storage sites for construction materials, inadvertently exacerbating flood risks.