Pune: The Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) has decided to install CCTV cameras to monitor illegal activities like large-scale debris dumping along the riverbeds of Mula and Mutha within the civic limits following repeated complaints.“We have identified 30 chronic spots. New CCTV cameras and signaling systems will be installed at the locations. The administration plans to complete the project in a month,” said Ganesh Sonune of the PMC’s disaster management department.Citizen activists welcomed the idea, but said the administration must maintain the facilities. They said such projects initiated earlier had failed to sustain and many old cameras were defunct now. “Some civic officials are more interested in issuing tenders and serving their vested interests. Also, PMC personnel who have ignored the illegal dumping should be taken to task,” said Vijay Kumbhar of citizens’ group Surajya Sangharsh Samiti.“If the system is put to proper use, the civic ground staff will likely nab the violators. But the administration is not utilising its staffers sufficiently. Many chronic spots have remained the way they are for years,” said MS Dixit of Kothrud.PMC officials said the administration would cover all the stretches of the Mula and Mutha rivers within the jurisdiction. A total of 168 cameras would be installed under the project. The poles with cameras would also have beacon lights to indicate flood levels. It would help residents get an idea about water discharge from dams. The information could be used to relocate people of low-lying areas before the water reaches a threat point.The main waterlogging hotspots included Shahir Amar Shaikh Chowk, Fatimanagar, Bhairobanullah Chowk, Radha Hotel Chowk in Baner, North Main Road in Mundhwa, Tadigutta Chowk, Seven Loves Chowk, the stretch beneath Ruby Hall Metro Station, Gunjan Talkies and Rajaram Bridge.The PMC had received around 250 complaints after the recent torrential rains caused localised flooding and infrastructural disruptions. Residents reported severe waterlogging on roads and inside building basements.The rainwater accumulated in many locations like bylanes of Prabhat Road, Bhandarkar Road, Bhusari Colony, Pune railway station and Sangam bridge. Water gushed into low-lying areas of Pulachiwadi, Rajput slums and Patil Estate slums as well as the subway in Wakdewadi. Waterlogging was also reported in Dhayari, Ganesh Mala, Dhankar Mala and near Santosh Hall Chowk. Flooding was reported from Kalas, Dhanori, Vimannagar, Lohegaon, Tingrenagar and Vishrantwadi.The flash floods were mainly caused by stones, garbage, plastic and dumped debris choking stormwater drainage grates.
