Pune: Baner-Balewadi Residents Seek Technical Probe Into Mula Riverfront Project Over Flooding Concerns

Baner, 8th July 2026: Residents of Baner and Balewadi have demanded a technical investigation into the ongoing riverfront development project along the Mula River within the Pimpri-Chinchwad Municipal Corporation (PCMC) limits, alleging that modifications to the river channel upstream have worsened flooding in downstream areas during the recent spell of heavy rainfall.

The demand comes after continuous rainfall over the past few days caused the Mula River to swell, resulting in waterlogging in several riverside localities of Baner and Balewadi. In some low-lying residential areas, floodwaters reportedly entered homes, prompting residents to question whether the river’s natural flow has been altered by the riverfront development works.

According to local residents, large quantities of fill material and debris have been dumped into the riverbed in the Pimple Nilakh and Wakad stretches as part of the riverfront development project. They allege that these works have narrowed the river’s natural width, reducing its capacity to carry floodwaters. Consequently, they claim, water backs up during periods of heavy rainfall and is forced downstream with greater intensity, increasing the risk of flooding in Baner and Balewadi.

Residents have also raised concerns over whether comprehensive hydrological and environmental studies were conducted before the project was executed. They argue that altering the river’s natural course without adequately assessing flood behaviour could have long-term consequences for downstream communities, particularly as extreme rainfall events become more frequent.

Sudhir Tamhane, a local resident, alleged that the impact of the project is already becoming evident.

“The river improvement works at Pimple Nilakh involved filling portions of the riverbed, reducing the river’s natural width. This year, after just two days of heavy rain, areas around Prathamesh Park and the Jupiter Hospital locality experienced flooding on a scale that residents had not witnessed earlier. The administration must immediately investigate whether the project has altered the river’s natural flow and increased the flood risk,” he said.

Residents and social activists have called for an independent technical assessment to determine whether the upstream works have affected the river’s hydraulic capacity. They have also urged authorities to remove any obstructions identified in the river channel and implement corrective measures to prevent similar flooding in the future.

An official response from the concerned authorities was not available at the time of publication. The allegations made by residents have not been independently verified, and it remains to be established through a scientific assessment whether the riverfront development project contributed to the flooding witnessed in Baner and Balewadi.