Pune: The Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) has decided to allocate funds for drainage system repairs in villages where suspected cases of Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS) have been reported. Areas such as Nanded, Khadakwasla, Kirkitwadi, and Nandoshi, located along Sinhagad Road, have seen a rise in suspected GBS cases, prompting urgent action.

Previously, PMC had categorized and restricted budget allocations for newly merged villages. However, following directives from Deputy Chief Minister and Guardian Minister Ajit Pawar, along with recommendations from the state health department, the civic body has now taken up the repair and installation of drainage systems in 23 affected villages.

PMC will be funding repairs in areas including Narhe, Kirkitwadi, Nandoshi, and Khadakwasla, where deteriorating drainage infrastructure has become a concern. In the initial phase, ₹1.25 crore has been earmarked for these projects, with ₹27.72 lakh allocated for sewage system repairs along Sinhagad Road and ₹98 lakh for installing new drainage lines in critical areas.

Residents in these areas do not receive direct access to purified drinking water from PMC. Instead, water is sourced from local wells, which have reportedly been contaminated by nearby construction activity. Concerns have been raised about untreated wastewater flowing into these wells, posing further health risks.

Although PMC had made substantial provisions in the 2024-25 budget for infrastructure development in these newly merged villages, restrictions imposed by the state government on property tax collection before the upcoming assembly elections have impacted revenue generation. As a result, many civic facilities in these areas have remained underdeveloped.

PMC Commissioner Dr. Rajendra Bhosale confirmed that immediate action is being taken in response to GBS cases in Khadakwasla and Kirkitwadi. Following a review meeting, Guardian Minister Ajit Pawar instructed the civic body to implement necessary measures, leading to the approval of the ₹1.25 crore expenditure for drainage improvements.