Pune takes on urban flooding with innovative trench project

In a significant move to address urban flooding and recharge groundwater, the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) has embarked on a large-scale civic project to harness the abundant rainfall the city receives every year.

As part of the project, deep trenches, several meters wide, are being strategically dug near the slopes of key hills throughout Pune, with the aim of capturing and diverting rainwater runoff. The ambitious venture, a collaboration between PMC's road and drainage departments, integrates natural filtration and purification units using sand, brick and stone.

Based on a recent survey, which studied drainage patterns and flood-prone locations, PMC aims to leverage the data collected to maximize stormwater conservation and diversion.

The survey, conducted in 2016, identified areas prone to flooding, while an earlier assessment a decade ago identified 234 nullahs with a combined length of 362 kilometers, demonstrating their potential to redirect runoff away from roads and residential areas. With this knowledge, PMC's trenching project strategically targets areas such as Fergusson College Road, Canal Road (near SNDT campus) and SB Road.

Accoridng to the report of Times of India, senior official from PMC's roads department said "PMC will allocate private and municipal land where rainwater harvesting can take place." The initiative not only aims to recharge depleted groundwater levels, but also to raise awareness of rainwater harvesting among residents, crucial to combat water scarcity in Pune.

Shridhar Yeolekar, Executive Engineer at PMC's Drainage Department, recognized the urgent need to address declining groundwater levels due to construction activities, saying, "For best results, government-recognized techniques should be used, such as continuous contour trenches. Factors such as aquifer availability should be considered before finalizing a site, for best results."

A recent report by the Advanced Center for Water Resources Development and Management (ACWADAM) highlighted Pune's permanent loss of at least three million cubic meters of groundwater storage capacity due to construction.

Himanshu Kulkarni, former CEO and current Scientist (Emeritus) of ACWADAM, praised PMC's trenching initiative, saying, "PMC's trenching initiative is a good one. But at the same time, you have to ensure that the drainages of stormwater has adequate capacity. Steps are also needed to reactivate natural streams, which will help in the discharge of stormwater runoff naturally."

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