Pune: Pre-Monsoon Cleanup Wasted as Rains Wash Sludge Back into Drains

Pune, 9th May 2025: In a glaring lapse of civic management, the sludge removed during pre-monsoon cleaning of storm drains and sewers across Pune has been washed back into the chambers due to sudden rainfall on Friday. The incident occurred because the sludge, cleared during ongoing pre-monsoon work, was not promptly lifted from the roadside and remained near the sewer chambers, municipal officials confirmed.

Despite clear directives from Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) authorities, contractors failed to dispose of the removed waste material properly. As a result, the rainwater carried the accumulated sludge back into the very drainage lines it had been removed from—nullifying the cleaning efforts and raising serious questions about oversight and execution.

Municipal Commissioner Dr. Rajendra Bhosale acknowledged the failure and announced that the contractors responsible for this negligence would not be paid for the botched work. “It has come to light that the sludge removed after cleaning the storm drains and chambers has gone back into the chambers as it was not removed. This has happened due to the negligence of the contractors, and the bills for these works will not be given to them,” he said.

Pre-Monsoon Work Undone
With the monsoon approaching, the PMC had initiated an intensive city-wide campaign to clean drains, sewers, and nullahs to prevent waterlogging and flooding in residential areas. Clogged drainage lines have led to repeated instances of water entering homes during heavy downpours in previous years, prompting the administration to act early this season.

Tenders were floated and contractors deployed across various wards, with a directive to complete all pre-monsoon cleaning work by May 31.
Additional Commissioner Prithviraj B. P. had stated that strict instructions were issued to contractors to ensure that all waste was removed immediately after cleaning.

Despite these warnings, it was evident on Friday that the instructions were not followed. Rainfall caused the roadside sludge to wash back into the drainage chambers, undermining the entire operation. Civic officials on the ground also failed to monitor the disposal work, leading to renewed fears of blockages during the upcoming rains.

Residents and civic activists have criticized the lack of accountability in the system. “This is not just about cleaning drains—it’s about whether PMC’s systems work at all. Warnings were issued, and yet no one ensured compliance,” said one local citizen group representative.

As the city braces for monsoon, the incident has sparked fresh concern over PMC’s ability to ensure long-term flood prevention and infrastructure maintenance.