Politicians questions flood line demarcation in city

Politicians of the city are questioning the selective approach of the civic activists and the municipal administration towards the flood line in the city. According to them, the whole river stretch, from Khadakwasla dam to Kharadi, should be considered while determining the flood line.

Recently the National Green Tribunal (NGT) had given orders to remove all encroachments falling within the flood line between Mhartre bridge and Rajaram bridge. The NGT even ordered the PMC to remove debris of the construction which took place between Warje and Vitthalwadi. 

A senior politician on the condition of anonymity said that he was puzzled with the selective approach of activists and the administration about the flood line. The river starts from Khadakwasla and ends at Kharadi, he added. 

Even Pavana, Mula and Ramnadi rivers pass through the city. There are many encroachments on the banks of these rivers but neither the administration nor civic activists are speaking about the flood line of the entire city, he said. 

Another politician, who was also an office bearer in the PMC, on the condition of anonymity, said that the irrigation department and civic administration conducted a meeting jointly and decided to conduct the flood line marking work but did not push this work. 

A senior officer from the PMC also accepted that the civic administration discussed this issue but it is not moving forward as many properties fall in the flood line in the city. This officer also said that in the year 2011, the PMC had paid money to the irrigation department to earmark the flood lines on the maps of the Development Plan. 

The civic officials accepted that if the stretch between Khadakwala to Kharadi is examined physically, many properties would be found within the flood line. Some houses in Peth areas also fall in the flood line.