Pune: Former PMC Opposition Leaders Seek Ad-Hoc Committee To Probe Drainage Dept Spending

Former opposition leaders in the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) have demanded the formation of an ad-hoc committee to investigate the functioning and expenditure of the civic body’s Drainage Department during the administrator’s tenure.

In a letter addressed to Mayor Manjusha Nagpure, former opposition leaders Ujjwal Keskar and Suhas Kulkarni, along with former corporator Prashant Badhe, have raised concerns over large-scale spending and alleged irregularities in the department.

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As per the letter, the Drainage Department had an annual budget of around ₹750 crore over the past four years, taking the total expenditure to nearly ₹3,000 crore. Additionally, about ₹900 crore has been spent on the JICA project so far, while ₹289 crore has been allocated for other works this year.

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The leaders also pointed out that ₹280 crore was sanctioned by the Central Government under the National Flood Control Programme, of which ₹125 crore was earmarked specifically for flood-prone areas. However, questions have been raised regarding the actual utilisation of these funds.

They further stated that consultants were appointed for several major projects and payments were made, while bills have also been cleared for works executed on the ground. Despite this, the drainage system in the nine newly merged villages has reportedly deteriorated, raising serious concerns.

Citing provisions under Section 31 of the MMC Act, the leaders have urged the Mayor to constitute an ad-hoc committee comprising elected representatives. The provision also allows inclusion of up to two subject experts with relevant qualifications.

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They alleged that in the absence of elected representatives during the administrator’s rule, there has been a lack of accountability, leading to arbitrary decision-making.

Considering that nearly ₹4,500 crore has been spent on the drainage sector, they stressed that a thorough inquiry is necessary.

Copies of the letter have been sent to the Municipal Commissioner, Additional Commissioner, and the City Engineer of the PMC.

The leaders have appealed to the Mayor to announce the committee at the earliest to ensure transparency and accountability in civic spending.

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