By Aryan

Pune: THE Maharashtra State Congress spokesperson Mr. Gopaldada Tiwari has blamed the Pune Municipal Corporation, the then ruling party BJP and the Maha Metro Corporation for cluttering of the Mutha riverbed and flood situation that occured last week in the city.

" Due to the obstruction created by bridge pillars and other works of the Metro Railway, the rampant digging, the recent encroachment of the boundary wall in the riverbed, the illegal constructions and dumping of debris, Pune city had to suffer the flood situation," alleged Congress spokesperson Mr Gopaldada Tiwari who has been strongly critical of the Pune Municipal Corporation and the state government after citizens suffered water logging and flooding.

Mr Gopaldada Tiwari said that, "Scores of people live in the riverside areas and low lying areas for years. People know the minimum release of water from the Khadkawasla dam...But this time they were not informed that higher per centage of water was released.

 Due to the works, Mr Tiwari alleged that the "water carrying capacity of the Mutha river basin" was greatly affected and this news was published through the media.

Mr. Tiwari said, correspondence was made with the Pune Municipal Corporation, pointing out that the people living along the banks of the river werw 'possible risk of flooding'. 

In order to fill up the carrying capacity of Mutha river due to the construction of Metro and to maintain the same carrying capacity, it was suggested to remove the 'large excess fill' from Lakdi Pul to Omkareshwar in Mutha river bed.

It was also pointed out that the border wall built on the Mutha river was illegal.

"However, due to the deliberate neglect of the then ruling local officials and administration, today almost all the citizens living on the banks of the Mutha river in Pune city have to suffer, and there is a constant sword of flood hanging over their heads," Mr Tiwari alleged

Mr Tiwari said, "When we had asked about this in the information notice, the Pune Municipal Corporation gave the strange reason that "removal of encroachments in the river basin is not the work of the Pune Municipal Corporation, but under the Irrigation Department" in order to shirk responsibility.

He added, "When we personally followed up with the then Irrigation Minister Jayant Patil and the Irrigation Department, they also sent a written understanding letter in the name of Pune Municipal Corporation. In it, the Irrigation Department has clearly stated that "the work of removing encroachments i river basin is under the jurisdiction of the Pune civic body."

However, Mr Tiwari said, "Due to the blessing of the then rulers and administration, the increased encroachments in the river bed continued and as the channel and flow became narrow, all the citizens living on the banks of the river from Sinhagad - Dhayari to Juna Bazar, Sangam Bridge had to suffer and the excess water due to continuous heavy rains due to rock formations. If you live you have to stay under the threat of flood. This is very dangerous for the river bed and the overall environment of Pune city.

Mr Tiwari demanded that the irresponsible officials who are causing this flood situation and the river bed and causing the bank condition, the corruption of crores should be investigated and action should be taken against against them.