Pune: Pre-Monsoon Jugaad? PMC Approves Drain-Cleaning Tenders At 50% Lower Rates, Sparking Quality Concerns

Ahead of Monsoons, the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) has undertaken a massive pre-monsoon drive to clean 90 km of city drains and 125 monsoon channels, aiming to complete the work by June 7.

In addition, 123 water bodies in the newly included villages and 189 encroachments on natural drainage lines are set to be cleared through joint operations. These works include nullah cleaning, road repairs, sewage cleaning, and maintenance of civic facilities.

However, what has sparked concerns is that the tenders have been approved at rates 50 percent lower than standard rates, raising serious doubts over the quality and authenticity of the work.

"Heavy rains have caused severe flooding in Pune, disrupting daily life and affecting thousands. Over 100mm of rainfall in the last 24 hours has led to overflowing rivers and waterlogging in many areas. Authorities are on high alert as rescue operations continue. #PuneFloods… pic.twitter.com/PCpxj17bxx

— Mr. Makkhan (@Mr32337Mr) September 30, 2024

One hour of rains bring Pune to a standstill. no signals, waterlogging everywhere, haphazard driving. Left home at 5:30 to go mahalunge, balewadi, aundh and back. Only to get stuck at Baner service road for more than an hr. Cancelled everything and came home 8:30. 12 kms 3 hrs

— Srihari (@SSuthamall84721) April 4, 2025

30 tenders floated

According to officials, 30 tenders have been floated across various field offices under PMC limits. Eight more tenders were issued for 23 newly merged villages that lack dedicated rainwater channels. The PMC has prioritised cleaning based on previous monsoon experiences, especially focusing on 20 km of sensitive drain lines. As per us, there is a need to clean 382 culverts, 48,000 drainage chambers, and 184 km of stormwater drains every year.

"Despite PMC spending crores on cleaning drainage efforts, the persistent menace of plastic waste continues to choke the city's sewers. Large quantities of plastic bags and wrappers are being found in drains, causing frequent blockages and waterlogging on major roads. This raises fresh concerns about the effectiveness of the plastic ban in the city," said Sumiti Yadav, a concerned resident.

Sudiksha Shah, resident of Sinhagad, said, "Every year PMC spends crores. Despite repeated drives and public awareness campaigns, the situation remains largely unchanged and with the onset of monsoon we are afraid of another season of flooded streets and stalled traffic. The authorities should take some permanent measures to repair the drainage system in the city."

PMC carried out a survey after the massive floods in 2019 and identified spots in Sahakarnagar, Hadapsar, Market Yard, Sinhagad Road, NIBM Road, BT Kawade Road, Katraj, Deccan, and Karvenagar, which experienced flash flooding in the recent past.