Nashik civic body swings into action post rain; focus on drainage, road restoration

Nashik: The civic body launched emergency operations on Wednesday after two hours of heavy rain between 3pm and 5pm on Tuesday led to waterlogging, mud accumulation and traffic disruption across several parts of the city.

The city recorded 28mm rainfall accompanied by strong winds on June 2. More than 30 trees were uprooted, said officials of the Nashik Municipal Corporation.

The situation was particularly severe at locations where road and utility works are underway, causing obstructions and inconvenience to commuters. In response, the NMC, along with the public works department (PWD) and other agencies, deployed division-wise teams to restore normalcy.

Following directives from NMC commissioner Manisha Khatri, civic teams opened stormwater drainage chambers, removed silt and garbage, and ensured smooth water flow. Water was pumped out from low-lying areas, while debris and fallen trees were cleared to ease vehicular movement.

Simultaneously, officials inspected ongoing infrastructure works across wards and instructed contractors to immediately rectify affected sites and implement safety measures.

Large-scale works, including roads, stormwater drains, water supply systems, drainage lines, gas pipelines and optical fibre networks, are currently in progress as part of Simhastha Kumbh Mela preparations and long-term development plans.

Officials warned contractors of strict action for delays, poor-quality work and safety lapses, with penalties to be imposed where necessary.

“Though sudden rain caused inconvenience at some places, all departments are working at full capacity. Necessary measures are being taken to minimise inconvenience to citizens. There will be no compromise on quality, safety and timelines,” said Khatri.

Civic officials said monitoring would continue to ensure efficient drainage during further rainfall spells. They added that pre-monsoon works, including cleaning of nullahs across the city, have been accelerated and will be completed at the earliest.