Pune: PMC continues to remove illegal cables from stormwater drains, latest action in Kothrud

Following reports of waterlogging incidents two weeks ago, the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) has intensified its efforts to remove illegally installed cables from stormwater lines across the city.

On Wednesday, PMC used earth-moving machinery to extract cables from stormwater lines near Kothrud depot. This action occurred within a week of a similar operation on Sinhagad Road.

Additional Municipal Commissioner Prithviraj BP stated, “The Municipal Commissioner and I conducted site visits to all the waterlogging spots over the past three days and discovered cables illegally laid in the stormwater lines. Instructions have been given for their immediate removal, and action is being taken accordingly.” During the June 8 rainfall, several areas experienced waterlogging because Optical Fibre Cables clogged the stormwater lines, preventing water from draining properly.

“The stormwater lines are intended for water flow only. No one is permitted to lay cables in these lines. We held a meeting at the PMC headquarters on Tuesday and issued the necessary instructions,” the additional commissioner added.

PMC last week lodged a police complaint against an unidentified individual for installing optical fiber cables in stormwater lines after discovering cables on Sinhagad Road. Waterlogging occurred on several city streets, including Sinhagad Road, which ran from PL Deshpande Garden to Ranka Jewellers. Optical fibre cables installed by mobile and internet service providers were found to be obstructing water flow, causing it to overflow onto the road, according to drainage and road department officials who visited the area. After that, PMC severed a few OFC cables on Sinhagad Road.

In response to the waterlogging, Baramati MP Supriya Sule visited several affected areas and highlighted the issue of cables obstructing stormwater lines. Sule met with PMC Commissioner Rajendra Bhosale, stating, “It is unfortunate that cables are being laid illegally in the stormwater lines. It was the administration’s responsibility to monitor this. This situation raises questions about the effectiveness of the pre-monsoon preparations.” Following their meeting, Bhosale instructed the PMC administration to take immediate action against the cables.

Prompted by the municipal commissioner’s orders, the administration quickly initiated a survey to address the issue.