PUNE: The Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) has found that encroachments on nalas played a major role in the flash floods in Katraj and Sahakar Nagar areas.
 
The PMC Drainage Department conducted a survey after the flash floods in Ambil Odha and other nalas. The report clearly stated that there were encroachments along the nalas which reduced their width. 
As per PMC officials, the Drainage Department conducted the survey and they will table the report before the General Body (GB) meeting. The department will make a presentation to the GB meeting about encroachments in Katraj and Sahakar Nagar areas. 

As per the report, most of the societies encroached upon nalas by constructing retaining walls. Thus, the nalas’ widths and carrying capacity reduced. Encroachment of slums along nalas was also mentioned in the report. Besides, the PMC Garden Department was also held responsible for reducing width of nalas by constructing gardens in the nalas. 

The report stated that nalas’ width should be 22 to 24 metres as mentioned in the Development Plan (DP) of Pune city. 

However, in reality, it is 18 to 20 metres. In some areas, it is 10 to 12 metres.
 
In September, heavy rain caused the Ambil Odha and other smaller canals to overflow. The water gushing from them caused problems to residential areas of Katraj and Sahakar Nagar, destroying properties. More than 20 people also lost their lives in the flash flood.