Pune: Waterlogging at Emerald Isle CHS in Wagholi Sparks Urgent Appeal for Permanent Solution

Wagholi, 19th June 2025: Residents of Emerald Isle Cooperative Housing Society near Wagheswar Temple on Lohgaon-Wagholi Road faced a critical emergency on June 14 after water from the overflowing Bhairavnath Lake entered their parking area and began threatening residential units. The flooding, which began early Saturday morning, raised serious safety concerns and potential risks to health and property, prompting immediate appeals for action.

According to society chairman Ranjit Sinha, the situation escalated around 6:30 AM when water began accumulating rapidly. The society’s managing committee promptly alerted local community leaders including Anil Satav, Sandip Satav, Sagar Gore, Rambhau Dabhade, MLA Mauli Abba Katke, and the Pune District Collector through WhatsApp messages and calls.

By mid-morning, local leaders and officials from the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) and Pune Metropolitan Region Development Authority (PMRDA) arrived at the site to inspect the situation. Community representatives, led by Anil Satav and others, facilitated the deployment of pumps to remove the excess water and helped clear a main drainage line choke near Lohgaon Road. Their swift response helped prevent water from entering residents’ homes.

On Sunday morning, June 15, society members met with MLA Katke to discuss both the immediate waterlogging issue and the larger, recurring problem caused by overflow from Bhairavnath Lake. The MLA visited the society later that evening and assured residents that he would escalate the matter with senior PMC officials. He emphasized the need for a long-term mitigation plan to prevent future flooding.

“MLA Katke’s on-site visit and quick intervention brought much-needed administrative attention and relief. However, we are still waiting for a permanent solution to ensure this doesn’t happen again,” said Sinha.

The meeting also included discussions about the pending conveyance deed of the society, where MLA Katke assured residents of his full support in resolving related bureaucratic hurdles.

Despite the temporary relief, residents remain anxious as the monsoon season progresses. They have called on authorities to implement lasting infrastructure changes to divert lake overflow and improve drainage in the area.