PCMC’s draft development plan favours rich and influential, alleges former standing committee chief Seema Sawale

Sawale alleged that the PCMC was trying to save influential people’s land within the blue flood line of the Pavana, Indrayani and Mula rivers.

”The contours of the map of Maharashtra water resources department and those of the PCMC’s draft DP do not match. The contours have been changed heavily in favour of the bigwigs to help them save their land from falling into the jurisdiction of the blue flood line,” she alleged.

Sawale alleged that there was a difference in some places when the map of the irrigation department regarding the markings of the blue flood line and the marking as per the PCMC’s draft development plan were compared.

”Especially in areas like Moshi, Chikhli, Pimple Saudagar, Rahatni, and Kiwali the markings in the maps of the state irrigation department and the PCMC’s DP do not match. The PCMC contours should have been drawn based on the map prepared by the irrigation department. The blue flood lines are different at some places,” she said.

Sawale, who belongs to the BJP, which ruled the PCMC in 2017-2022, said, ”On one hand, the PCMC administration demolished 36 bungalows in Chikhli which fell under the blue flood line of the Indrayani river, on the other hand, the administration seems to be going all out to protect the land of the rich people by changing the flood line of the rivers. This is a classic example of the corrupt practices being employed by the civic administration.”

Sawale said she had written to Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis. ”I have urged the chief minister to investigate the matter and file an FIR,” she said.

Sawale said the water resources department had drawn the contours of the blue flood line of the Pavna, Indrayani and Mula rivers after an inspection. ”The markings (blue flood line) were for floods experienced in 25 years and the red line for floods experienced in 100 years. As per the norms, there should be no constructions within the blue flood line of the river,” she said.

Sawale said the PCMC draft development plan claimed to have been prepared based on the water resources department’s map but ignored it “to suit the convenience of a select few”.

Sawale said that in Chikhli, survey no 1670 and 281; in Moshi, survey no 58, 59, 60 and 75, 76, 77; in Rahatni, survey no 105, 102, 100, 101 and 99; and in Pimple Saudagar, survey no 182; in Kiwale, survey no 55 and 56, have been put outside the blue flood line of the rivers. ”These areas are within the blue flood line of rivers in the irrigation department map,” she said.

Sawale said PCMC officials, builders and political leaders had joined hands to loot the residents in the past too. ”This is another attempt. The chief minister should stop it,” she said.

PCMC officials said they would conduct a hearing and finalise the development plan after receiving all suggestions and objections. ”It will be then sent to the state government for approval,” an official said.