Pune Civic Body Faces Duplicate Billing Risk Over Stormwater Drain Cleaning

Pune, 8th October 2026: The Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) has already spent around ₹40–45 crore on cleaning stormwater drains and nullahs, but similar works are now being proposed again under the ‘C’ list through corporator-recommended projects. The move has raised concerns about duplicate billing, tender manipulation and possible financial losses to the civic body.

The PMC carries out cleaning of nullahs and stormwater drains every year before the monsoon. Earlier, the work was handled by the Sewerage Department. This year, tenders were issued at the regional office level, while the Disaster Management Department was given responsibility for coordination.

Senior officials had monitored the cleaning work closely this year after repeated allegations that contractors were being paid despite inadequate work on the ground. In locations where the cleaning was found to be incomplete, contractors were instructed to carry out the work again.

However, several corporators have now made provisions for similar drain-cleaning works under the ‘C’ list. After municipal elections were held following a four-year gap, the ‘C’ list was brought back into the civic budget, allowing 165 corporators to recommend development works in their respective wards.

Several corporators have reportedly made provisions running into lakhs of rupees for cleaning nullahs and stormwater drains in their wards. The tender process had started, but the works were halted because of the Model Code of Conduct for the Legislative Council elections.

PMC policy allows contractors to use their own or rented registered spider machines, provided the equipment meets the corporation’s prescribed specifications.

However, allegations have emerged that tender conditions for some ‘C’ list works were changed to favour selected contractors. One of the reported changes requires contractors to own the machinery instead of allowing them to use rented equipment.

The major concern is that the same drain-cleaning work could potentially be shown under two different tenders.

Stormwater drains and chambers can become blocked again during the monsoon because of soil, stones and other debris carried by rainwater. Under existing contracts, contractors can be directed to clean such locations again when required.

Despite this provision, fresh funds have been proposed under the ‘C’ list for similar cleaning work. Since several of these tenders are valued at less than ₹10 lakh, concerns have been raised about whether the PMC will be able to properly verify the work before approving payments.

There are also concerns about the use of geo-tagged photographs as proof of work. Allegations have been made that dates on photographs could be manipulated, potentially allowing the same location to be shown as having been cleaned under separate tenders.

The issue has also highlighted differences in the approach taken by some corporators. While objections are raised against the conditions in large tenders issued by the main department for drain and sewer cleaning, similar works are being proposed in individual wards under the ‘C’ list.

Officials and civic observers have raised concerns that such practices could delay essential works and increase the possibility of unnecessary expenditure.

PMC Sewerage Department Chief Engineer Vishal Haribhakt said the existing policy clearly permits the use of both owned and rented machinery for drain-cleaning works.