Encroachments leading to floods in Pune

Former secretary and director-general of the Water and Land Management Institute (Walmi), Suresh Shirke, said constructions and encroachments in prohibited zones are extremely dangerous and urgent steps are needed to remove such constructions in Pune as a measure against floods.

Shirke was speaking at a discussion organised by the state irrigation department at the Sinchan Bhavan to mark 50 years of the Panshet flood on Tuesday. 

According to Shirke, there are government rules about flood control which need to be followed strictly.

“The highest flood level in the last 25 years and 100 years has been marked at suitable locations and the administration should see that there are no constructions and encroachment in these areas. The constructions in prohibited areas are one of the major causes of flood damages. In a city like Pune this has to be followed strictly,” Shirke, who is chairman of the Indian Society of Earthquake Technology (Pune chapter) said.

Shirke maintained that earthen dams are safer as compared to masonry dams and can be built on any type of foundation. The factor of safety slowly increases after completion in earthen dams because of gradual settlement and compaction effect. In case of pressure or earthquake, they do not crack but slowly settle without cracking, he stated. 

Shirke said, “It’s a misconception that dams lead to earthquakes; it is technically impossible. Most of the time the good work of engineers is neglected, while the defects are projected by the media.”

Superintendent engineer (irrigation) Avinash Surve made a presentation on the report of justice Naik commission report on the flood.  The dam was to be completed in 1962, but the decision to finish it in 1961 and other reasons led to the disaster, was the report’s vague conclusion.