PUNE: The National Society for Clean Cities (NSCC) has sent a letter to Pune Cantonment Board’s (PCB)’ Chief Executive Officer expressing their concern regarding the proposed concretisation of Bhairoba nala. They have also appealed PCB to reconsider the decision of concretisation of under water bed of Bhairoba nala.
It was mentioned in the letter that the flooding of Bhairoba nala following heavy rainfall in September has caused huge damage to the nearby societies in Wanawadi and the PCB was appealed to use environment-friendly options for repairing the nala instead of concretisation.
G Bhaskar, a member of NSCC core committee and task force said, “We have given a letter to PCB CEO on Monday regarding our reservation on the proposed concretisation of the nala. The flooding of nala claimed lives and hence, we are against it.”
Maithili Manakawad, the secretary of Wanawadi Resident Forum (WRF), said, “Concretisation of any water body would lead to practically zero perlocation of water into the ground and increase the risk of flooding. Last year, we have already witnessed flooding of nalas that have caused damage to various societies and lives.”
She further said, “WRF has appealed to all societies of the area to come together against this and restoration work of Bhairoba stream to reinstate its natural state by removing encroachment and effective implentation of solid waste managment.”
When contacted PCB CEO about the proposal of concretisation, PCB CEO Amit Kumar said, “The matter was under consideration at Director General of Defence Estate level, New Delhi.”
Last year, PCB had proposed channalisation of Bhairoba nala of Rs 86 crore. Now, the matter was under consideration of DGDE. The proposal of concretisation of Bhairoba nala was also sent to DGDE. In the first phase, Rs 22 crore was proposed for Ganga Satelite to Wanawadi Bazar and second phase will start after the completion of first phase. The second phase is proposed from Wanawadi Bazar to Wanawadi bridge, third phase from Wanawadi bridge to Sopan Baug and fourth phase is Sopan Baug to Ghorpadi Anand Theatre.
Ward member Kiran Mantri said, “We had requested to CEO to channelised the Bhairoba nala and concreticise also. This will be helpful to residents living near by the area.”
