Pune Metro Work to increase Flood Levels in Central City Areas: Central Water and Power Research Station

Pune, January 18, 2021: The construction of pillars in the river basin under the Pune Metro project has created a flood threat. This fact has been brought into the light by Central Water and Power Research Station. The pillars built inside the blue water line have caused a significant increase in the flood level. A report by the Central Water and Power Research Station (CWPRS), Pune, states that the construction has created a risk of flooding up to 183 feet in length outside the river basin.

Sixty pillars have been raised for metro work in  the Mutha river’s restricted area, which is 1.45 km long within the blue waterline. The then Rajya Sabha MPs Anu Aga, Aarti Kirloskar, and Sarang Yadwadkar had filed a petition in the National Green Tribunal (NGT) on May 24, 2016, claiming that the pillars were obstructing the natural flow of the river and would increase the flood level.

An expert committee was set up to study the construction results in the river basin. The report submitted by the committee mentions that the flood level would increase by 12 mm.  However, the Metro work was approved.

The NGT’s decision was challenged in the Supreme Court. It was cited in the petition that the expert committee had assumed that the river’s width was more than 25 percent. An expert committee later blamed the Metro for the river’s miscalculation.

The committee also recommended that the CWPRS conduct a new study on the actual increase in flood levels. The CWPRS has submitted a report to Metro. It has been clarified that the risk of floods will increase. Representatives of the city’s environmentalists and NGOs have raised the issue.

MP Adv. Vandana Chavan, Sarang Yadwadkar, Sajag Nagarik Manch president Vivek Velankar and Vijay Kumbhar of Surajya Sangharsh Samiti gave information about this in the press conference.

According to them, metro work will cause the seeping of 183 feet of water into the central area. Also, due to other encroachments, a total of 460 feet of water may enter. Metro has cheated NGT by misinforming the expert committee. Therefore, it was demanded that Metro should take responsibility for this situation and make necessary changes in the construction of Metro scientifically at its own cost. They will also meet the Chairman of the Expert Committee and Divisional Commissioner Saurabh Rao.

“The report also raises concerns about Metro’s work in the river basin. Metro is needed for the development of Pune. But it is wrong to endanger the lives of Punekars”, said Adv. Vandana Chavan and Yadwadkar.

Anu Aga stated, “Based on the recent report we received from CWPRS, we are alarmed that if we go ahead with the pillars in the riverbed (which are already constructed), Pune is in great danger of experiencing frequent floods. The TERI report which was submitted to the Government of Maharashtra in 2014 also warns us that Pune is likely to receive 37.5 % more rainfall with more occurrences of cloudbursts. In view of these two reports, it is imperative that we alert the citizens of Pune about this alarming situation.

Very often environmentalists and activists are looked upon as people who are against development projects such as the Pune Metro. Let me assure you that why we are raising this issue even at this late stage is because we are really concerned about the safety of the Punekars and our city. Even though shifting the huge 60 metro pillars from the riverbed will cost a huge amount, it is worth it because nothing is as important as the lives of Punekars and not letting our city be flooded.”

Demands from activists:
1. It is the responsibility of Maharashtra Metro Rail Corporation Limited to provide a scientific and acceptable solution to bring down the flood levels to their original position by incorporating all necessary modifications in metro construction.

2. The corporation should bear the entire cost of the required modifications.

3. All encroachments from the riverbed must be removed immediately by Pune Municipal Corporation to reinstate the flood line positions.

4. No construction should be permitted inside Blue Flood Line under any pretext any time in future.