Corporator clears the air

Leakage in drainage chambers continues in societies of Pimple Saudagar; Corporator tells his side of the story.

Cityplus had carried a story 'Misuse of drainage' in its edition dated January 7 in which some residents of Shivam and Poorva Societies in Pimple Saudagar complained that PCMC and local corporator had manipulated drainage line here. They alleged that the matter was settled after the builder took bribe.
While digging up of lands for motor line, a project under Jawaharlal Nehru Urban Renewable Mission (JNNURM) scheme for flowing natural water, drainage chambers got damaged. These chambers at various spots leak sewer water which bypasses through the line laid down for flooding out rain water. However, searching of leakage spots is in progress.
Following the allegation of manipulation of drain line in Pimple Saudagar, Vitthal Kate, local corporator clarified issues to Cityplus. He said, "Shubhashree Woods and Kunal Icon Housing Societies had water logging problems few years back. A total of 26 row houses of these societies were facing huge problem of flood in rainy season. We took the issue seriously and constructed the drain line, which required digging of land for laying down the pipelines since development chambers of sewage lines were slightly damaged and leaked sewer water. However, we are trying to repair the chambers but it is time consuming as all of them are underground. A step towards identifying the damaged chambers is in progress. We are trying to check each of them as dirty water is still flowing from them."
Sewage flow cannot be stopped as it flows out from every society located here. "But people blamed us that we have settled the matter by giving bribes. We ask them, who will pay for this dirty water? Apart from this, there were many issues raised by builders. Butte Patil, a builder whose land exists here in between Rajveer Gharonda and Nisarg Nirman housing societies filed litigation against Pimpri Chinchwad Municipal Corporation (PCMC). The corporation lost this case as the verdict went in builder's favour."
We asked him how it was possible to construct such lines here. "But we have broken the road passing Rajveer Gharonda Society to match the water flow. The line constructed here and water logging problems of both the societies have been resolved," he added. Kate said, "The line crossing behind Rajveer Gharonda society was the only option to sort out the flood problem."
Proposed Nashik highway, which is 45 meters wide where the lines have been laid underground. Next to it, drain line is flowing through an open land where Poorva and Shivam Societies exist.
He said, "A demand to cover the line here has already made to Ashish Sharma, Commissioner, PCMC by me. But he hasn't approved it. The Commissioner said that the natural water has to be flown through the open lines."  A temporary nullah has been dug up for sewage and rain water near Poorva and Shivam Societies, which has been channelised to Pavna River.

--RAMESH KUMAR