MLA Pharande asks officials to finish work in time before rains, citizens skeptical

Nashik: MLA Devyani Pharande and local corporators on Sunday inspected several developmental works executed by the Nashik Municipal Corporation (NMC) and the Smart City project.

During the visit, she urged authorities to complete basic preparatory works before the monsoon to ensure that the sewage did not mix with the Godavari river.

Infrastructure works for the upcoming Simhastha Kumbh Mela and Smart City projects are currently underway on a massive scale. Consequently, major portions of the riverbanks have been dug up for the construction of continuous parallel sewers.

While locals are already distressed by the large-scale disruption, residents fear that the NMC has bitten off more than it can chew.

“We are entering June with uncertainty over rainfall due to the El Niño effect. If the monsoon or pre-monsoon showers hit the city, these open drains beside the riverbank will pose a serious danger to both human life and property,” said Ramesh Rahane, a resident living along the Godavari banks.

During her inspection, MLA Pharande reviewed the progress of stormwater and underground sewerage pipelines, the Ram Jhula bridge, and the Saraf Bazar road. She issued strict directives to the administration regarding sewage treatment and drain desilting to preserve the sanctity of the river.

“Under no circumstances should the Godavari River get polluted during the rainy season. I have instructed the administration to ensure proper planning for clearing all natural drains before the monsoon to prevent waterlogging in low-lying commercial areas such as Dahipul and Main Road,” Pharande said.

The legislator outlined several specific technical interventions during the inspection and announced that a separate visit would be conducted within two days to review the mechanical gates installed near the Ahilyabai Holkar bridge for flood control.

Additionally, the MLA stressed the need for a filtration plant as part of the Gandhi Talav beautification project and ordered a site survey for a proposed MSEDCL sub-station in the Bhadrakali area.