Underground PCB drainage line promises to end water-logging

New line nearly complete, cantonment board authorities say flooding in low-lying areas will now be thing of past

The Pune Cantonment Board (PCB) has nearly completed the laying of an underground drainage line that will reduce water-logging in low-lying areas.

Officials claim that water which could not flow into other roadside drains that were at a higher level will now easily flow down into the newly laid lines. This will also reduce the strain on other drainage networks as the new pipes will take a heavy load off them.

Low-lying areas like Jan Mohammad Street, Sachapir Street and the Bhimpura area see heavy water-logging owing to the narrow lanes. According to an official, the topography of MG Road, East Street and other places around these is akin to a plateau.

"MG Road and East Street are located at a height but other old areas like Bhimpura are low-lying. Till date the areas did not have a dedicated drainage pipeline but only small gutters flowing through the various by-lanes. Bhimpura has around small and it also merges into important internal road like Jan Mohammad Street near Babajan Dargah Chowk. This will also reduce water-logging in Solapur Bazaar," said an official, requesting anonymity.

The project for the laying of the new pipeline was approved in May by the board members.
The work, which included laying of cement pipes 30 cm in diameter starting from Jan Mohammad street, was begun in late May. There were heavy traffic jams on Jan Mohammad Street because of the work going on during evening peak hours.

PCB Member Prasad Kedari that said that a small amount of work still remained and once completed it would solve all drainage-related problems in the areas it covers. Kedari said the new pipes will also join the main drainage line near St Vincent School.

"There is some opposition from a few shopkeepers and residents who are being affected by the work. The shopkeepers are losing out on business since the road where the shops are located are dug up. The issue will definitely be resolved as I am coordinating with both the PCB officials and the people," said Kedari.