Pune: Illegal Drain Connections Flood Roads; PMC Launches Emergency Cleaning Drive
Pune, 27th May 2025: In a bid to address the rising problem of overflowing sewage chambers during heavy rains, Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) has ordered round-the-clock cleaning operations using suction and jetting machines. The directive, issued by Additional Commissioner Prithviraj BP, comes after it was found that stormwater drains in several areas have been illegally connected to sewage pipelines.
Due to these faulty connections, it is seen that rainwater directly enters the sewage system, overwhelming it and causing chambers to overflow onto roads. With the monsoon approaching, the civic body is now rushing to clean these chambers to avoid a city-wide sanitation crisis.
PMC officials have noted that during heavy rainfall, accumulated silt and excessive water pressure often result in sewer lines and chambers bursting. The use of jetting and suction machines is seen as critical to removing sludge and ensuring proper flow. Currently, PMC has access to eight suction machines and 25 jetting machines, which will now be deployed in both day and night shifts to accelerate the cleanup.
Pune has approximately 223 kilometers of stormwater drains and nearly 56,000 chambers. However, investigations have revealed that many of these drains were never fully constructed or were improperly linked to sewage systems—often a result of collusion between former corporators and officials. Instead of connecting the drains to natural water outlets like streams or rivers, they were improperly merged into sewer lines, creating the current crisis.
As the monsoon nears, these hidden construction flaws are now surfacing, with sewer water spilling onto roads across the city. To provide immediate relief to citizens, Additional Commissioner Prithviraj BP has instructed civic workers to speed up chamber cleaning efforts using all available machinery throughout the day and night.
