Can the public in Pune play a more active role in reshaping the city? Pune International Centre (PIC) has urged people to participate actively in shaping urban strategies and contribute their suggestions to PIC. “This is a beginning. Let us plan for 2047,” said Professor Amitav Mallik, head of PIC’s research segment – Energy, Environment and Climate Change.
Mallik was speaking at PIC’s ‘Pune Samwad’ on ‘Raste Aani Paanitumbaara: Avhane Aani Upayyojana’ (Roads and Waterworks: Challenges and Solutions). The event highlighted how inadequate drainage systems and poor urban planning are among the factors responsible for Pune’s recurrent flooding issues.
Encroachment of drains and low water percolation due to extensive ground concretisation have increased water runoff and flooding challenges. To tide over this problem, the city needs better flood control mapping, dedicated department for flood water management, and positive citizen involvement.
Mahesh Zagade, former principal secretary, Maharashtra, and member of PIC, said that encroachment of nalas was a major cause of flooding. Sarang Yadwadkar, member of Development Plan of Pune City, said that recent incidents of flooding in the city is a preview to future challenges as Pune is vulnerable to frequent climate change-induced cloudbursts.
Vivek Kharwadkar, architect and town planning expert, said it was necessary to have a dedicated storm-water management department and active citizen suggestions and participation in implementing solutions.
Dr Gurudas Nulkar, member of PIC, and director at Centre for Sustainable Development at Gokhale Institute of Politics and Economics, stressed on better urban planning with respect to water flow channels.
Poorva Keskar, environment consultant and Director at VK:e Environmental, said that institutional mechanisms for effective implementation of town development plans and even a rethink of UDCPR (Unified Development Control and Promotion Regulations) aimed at merging villages into PMC to simplify procedures, were essential.
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