Pune’s residents face chaos as relentless rains expose the city’s fragile drainage system. Neglected infrastructure and poor planning leave commuters stranded and streets submerged.
Pune, June 26, 2025 – Despite its Smart City label, Pune crumbles under just thirty minutes of rain, with streets turning into rivers and traffic grinding to a halt, leaving residents frustrated and disillusioned. .Only 325 km of the city’s 2,044 km road network—barely 16 to 17 percent—has stormwater drains, leaving major roads like Sinhagad Road, Katraj-Kondhwa Road, Jungli Maharaj Road, and Fergusson College Road vulnerable to flooding. Recent downpours have paralyzed the city, stretching hour-long commutes into two-to-three-hour struggles through waterlogged routes.
The root of the crisis lies in Pune’s inadequate drainage infrastructure, worsened by years of unchecked urban development that has choked natural watercourses. Many newly built roads lack any drainage system, exposing residents to recurring floods. Pre-monsoon preparations have been lackluster, with existing drains poorly maintained, ensuring waterlogging remains a yearly ordeal for citizens forced to navigate submerged streets.
In the 32 recently merged villages—23 newly added and 11 previously announced—a Detailed Project Report (DPR) for stormwater drains is nearing completion. Yet, a 2007 report for older municipal areas remains largely unimplemented, though a new report is in the works. The Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) allocated ₹10.5 crore for cleaning 275 km of the city’s 325 km of storm drains across 15 regional offices, but persistent waterlogging, even with below-average rainfall, highlights the city’s unpreparedness.
Residents feel betrayed by Pune’s Smart City aspirations, arguing that the lack of basic infrastructure undermines the title. With civic authorities slow to act and drainage planning lagging, the city remains at the mercy of the monsoon, leaving its people to bear the brunt of every downpour.
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