‘Concrete roads reason for depleting groundwater level’

PUNE: The main reason for depleting groundwater levels in the city is the concretisation of roads, said groundwater experts and blamed the civic body for it. Likewise, while making the replica of the smart street, the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) did make the recharge pits but these are not scientifically approved by the city-based apex body of groundwater, the Groundwater Survey Development Agency (GSDA).

Ravindra Sinha, the convenor of Mission Groundwater, told Sakal Times that firstly, the smart street at Parihar Chowk to Bremen Chowk, Aundh, constructed under the Smart City Development Corporation Ltd (PSCDCL), does not have recharge pits. Secondly, the replica of the smart street made at Junglee Maharaj Road and now at Fergusson College Road, has recharge pits constructed by PMC but they are wrongly made as the rainwater instead of percolating, will overflow from the pits as they are not scientifically approved by the GSDA.

Instead, Sinha suggested that a permeable surface block should be placed. The rainwater falling on the surface blocks would percolate the water and the leftover water would go into the recharge pits.

While Rajendra Jagtap, CEO, PSCDCL, said, “Under the smart street project of the smart city, the smart street redesign has been made from Parihar Chowk to Bremen Chowk at Aundh. Recharge pits on the pavements have been made and they have been scientifically approved by the experts.”

However, Dr Milind Deshpande, Regional Deputy Director, Pune region, GSDA, said, “I have not received any proposal or papers from the PSCDCL or PMC regarding the recharge pits.”

Recently, the students of Matru Sewa Sangh, Institute of Social Work from Nagpur had done a study on depleting groundwater due to cement roads as they prevent percolation of water. The study says that the civic body has not created pits for plantation while the existing trees face the risk of choking. Also, accidents would increase due to skidding of vehicles on the cement roads.

At Prabhat Road, recharge pits have been made by BJP corporator Madhuri Sahasrabudhe, who represents ward number 36, which covers areas of Law College Road and Prabhat Road. Two recharge pits of 10 feet each have been made at Bondhe colony, Fatelal Path and Dorade Path.

WHAT CAN BE DONE?
Colonel Shashikant Dalvi  (retd), District Manager (Pune), The Climate Reality Project, India, said, “In most of the cities including some small towns, concrete roads have become a norm. However, they consume a huge amount of water as compared to tar roads. In order to allow groundwater percolation, the following measures are to be taken:
- Municipal corporations while taking out tenders for concrete road construction must give the design of stormwater drains incorporating rainwater recharge pits to allow percolation of rainwater flowing through drains.
- Contractors should be briefed about the design of recharge pits in the drains. 
- People’s elected representatives should be made aware of such designs so that they will ensure the implementation.

Presently, only corporator Madhuri Sahadrbudhe has ensured such recharge pits along the concrete roads. She used to invite me to brief PMC and contractor representatives about this.