Pune: As heavy and erratic rainfall becomes a growing concern in Pune, Union Minister of State for Cooperation and Civil Aviation and Pune MP Murlidhar Mohol has issued strong directives to the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) to expedite and enhance the quality of pre-monsoon preparations. Citing the urgency of the matter, Mohol warned that non-performing contractors should be blacklisted, and responsibility must be fixed on both officials and contractors found guilty of negligence.
Speaking at a press conference after reviewing the monsoon preparedness with Municipal Commissioner Rajendra Bhosale and various departmental officials, Mohol stressed the need for swift, efficient, and transparent execution of pre-monsoon work. MLAs Bhimrao Tapkir, Hemant Rasane, BJP City President Dheeraj Ghate, and former corporators Ganesh Bidkar and Shrinath Bhimale were also present.
Mohol reviewed critical tasks such as stormwater chamber cleaning, removal of encroachments, and drain widening, instructing the administration to prioritize locations with a history of waterlogging. He highlighted that Pune has 875 km of drainage lines, and PMC has issued 23 tenders for cleaning and 15 for other monsoon-related tasks this year.
“Some contractors, despite being awarded tenders, have failed to perform on-ground work. Such contractors must be blacklisted. If either contractors or officials are at fault, they must be held accountable, and strict action should follow,” Mohol firmly stated.
He added that Pune earlier had 117 chronic waterlogging spots, but after the inclusion of 22 new villages into PMC limits, the total has risen to 201. Of these, 117 locations have been addressed, and work on 84 is ongoing with completion expected before the onset of monsoon. Temporary solutions are being applied at 39 sites where permanent work is currently not feasible.
Referring to the 2019 Ambil Odha floods, Mohol explained how subsequent measures like widening and repairing drains between Katraj and Dattawadi have successfully mitigated similar disasters. Despite the absence of elected corporators, he emphasized that the administration is functioning effectively in coordination with MLAs and MPs.
Mohol also instructed PMC to submit a ward-wise progress report on pre-monsoon works and compile them into a comprehensive city-level report. He insisted on assigning individual responsibility to ground-level staff, warning that non-compliance would invite disciplinary action. He also called for stringent measures against encroachments and assessed the city’s disaster management preparedness.
Concluding the review, Mohol assured that he would ensure the timely release of funds sanctioned by the state and central governments for Pune’s development.
Union Minister Murlidhar Mohol confirmed that the upcoming municipal elections will be fought under the ‘Mahayuti’ alliance, as stated by Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis. “Preparations are underway, and candidate selection will be based on merit and performance,” said Mohol.
