PUNE, 4 DEC. The Maharashtra Industrial Development Corporation (MIDC) has taken a major step following the severe waterlogging incidents witnessed during this year's monsoon at the Rajiv Gandhi IT Park in Hinjewadi. A survey confirmed that the problem was primarily caused by encroachment on natural waterways, prompting the MIDC to initiate remedial measures worth ₹125 crore.
Heavy rainfall on June 7 and 22 this year led to flood-like conditions on the roads of Phase-2 of the IT Park, exposing the poor state of the park's basic infrastructure. Preliminary investigation revealed that the waterlogging occurred because the natural water channels were either encroached upon, filled up, or diverted.
Subsequently, the MIDC appointed a private consulting firm to survey the natural water courses within the IT Park. This involved a drone survey to study the current carrying capacity of the waterways and the actual volume of water flow during the monsoon. The firm submitted its report to IIT-Mumbai for evaluation, and after the evaluation by IIT-Mumbai, the final report has now been submitted to the MIDC.
According to MIDC sources, a project blueprint has been prepared for long-term solutions to the flood situation in the IT Park. Under this plan, a 17.5-kilometer long network of rainwater drains will be constructed. Additionally, a separate canal will be built where water flowing from the hill slopes has been obstructed. In IT Park Phase-2, the road stretch from Wipro Circle to SEZ Circle sees significant water accumulation; in such spots, underground concrete drains (sub-way drainage) will be constructed. This will ensure that water flows directly into the river via the underground drains instead of collecting on the roads.
Key Measures to Prevent Flooding:
Rainwater drains will be constructed on both sides of the roads. A separate channel will be provided alongside the rainwater drains for utility cables. Underground concrete drains will be built at spots where water accumulates on the roads. A separate canal will be constructed for the water flowing down from the hill slopes. The goal is to ensure rainwater flows freely from the hill directly to the river without obstruction.
Proposed Construction Works:
Underground concrete drains will be built at Infosys Circle, Dohler Company Chowk, and on both sides of the Jawadekar Project. The total length of the rainwater drain network will be 17.5 kilometers. A separate canal, measuring 900 meters in length, will be constructed behind Raisoni Park, connecting to Quadrant Company in Phase-1 and DLF Company in Phase-3.
Executive Engineer of MIDC, Rajendra Totla, stated that based on the survey of natural waterways, remedial measures have been initiated to prevent waterlogging in the IT Park. In the first phase, underground drains will be built to prevent water from coming onto the roads. Following that, in the second phase, a separate canal will be constructed to carry water flowing from the hill slopes directly to the river.
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