As river becomes desiccated, activists blame 2.5-km-long cement coating on its basin that prevents water percolation
As river becomes desiccated, activists blame 2.5-km-long cement coating on its basin that prevents water percolation
ADVERTISEMENT
The civic body's effort to coat the Ram Nadi basin with cement for a stretch of 2.5 km in Baner has allegedly backfired. Environmentalists complain that the cement base of the river basin and the erection of walls on its side have left the river completely dry."The river has became more messy and disastrous than ever," said Anupam Saraf, coordinator of Jal Birdari and a resident of Baner. Saraf said the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) performed an unscientific piece of work on the Ram Nadi by going for 2.5-km-long cement channelisation which was meant to prevent a flood-like situation in the monsoon. "Instead of removing the encroachments, especially at the West Baner area, Ram Nadi has been shrunk by erecting cement walls," he said.
Aggravating the problem? Environmentalists complain the concretisation
of its basin stopped the free and naturalu00a0 flow of river. Pic/Anupam Saraf
The first spell of monsoon showers from June 4 exposed the futility of the cement coating, said Saraf. "Instead of restoring the river, it has caused permanent damage. It is really shocking that in this area no water remains in the river even after one or two hours of rain," said Saraf. Saraf said that owing to the cement base, water did not percolate into the river basin.u00a0"The PMC should break the cement walls to allow free and natural flow of water," he said.
Vinod Bodhankar, another environmentalist, said the cement base and walls near Ram Nadi prevented seepage of water into the ground, which is otherwise useful for the nearby residents and small farmers. "The PMC is killing the river by restricting its natural flow," he said. "It is unfortunate the PMC has done this at the mouth of the river itself." Sunil Joshi, who had done a survey on all possible dangerous spots in and around the river, said the Ram Nadi and some streams are mainly active in the monsoon and they should be allowed to flow freely and naturally. "Artificially cementing the river will not ease any problems, but may exacerbate it. The cement work has already ruined the natural flora and fauna inside the river, especially from Rohan Complex to the Expressway," he said.
Work halted
The Bombay High Court has already stopped construction work by the PMC near rivers in and around the city. Jal Biradari, an NGO, has filed a writ petition against the PMC's policy of construction near the rivers in the city. The second hearing on the writ shall take place today in which the PMC shall extend its say. Till then, work on the drain water pipeline near the Mutha river has been stopped.
The Other Side
Vijay Kapse, junior engineer, PMC, said: "The PMC has undertaken work in major nullas including Ram Nadi as part of the Jawaharlal Nehru Urban Renewal Mission project to ensure there are no flood-like situations in the monsoon. We are also erecting 80 culverts on the nullas as well as rivers to ensure the smooth flow of water."
Municipal Commissioner Mahesh Pathak said: "A systematic survey and study was conducted before the work for channelisation of Ram Nadi and other nullas in the city was undertaken. I am sure the residents in these areas will not face any kind of monsoon-relate problem."
"Exciting news! Mid-day is now on WhatsApp Channels 
Subscribe today by clicking the link and stay updated with the latest news!" Click here!
Subscribe today by clicking the link and stay updated with the latest news!" Click here!
