NEERI seeks civic views on Godavari floodplain management

Nashik: The National Environmental Engineering Research Institute (NEERI) has in a letter sought to know the civic body's opinions and implementations on floodplain management.
NEERI had included a chapter on floodplain planning and development guidelines for the Godavari in Nashik region, specifying activities that should be permitted and prohibited in the vicinity of its banks.On Tuesday, NEERI sent a letter to the NMC to seek its opinions on the actions related to the floodplain management.
At the April 6 meeting of the sub-committee, NEERI had asked the NMC about floodplain mapping that included aquifer mapping, rainwater harvesting, preventing construction of new weirs and constructions on red and blue lines. The NMC had replied that it would follow the development plan and suggestions of the water resources department.
NEERI said the NMC, in response to its suggestions had mentioned that the action would be taken as per the draft development control and promotion rules.
"Explain the reasons for your observations on our recommendations for the floodplain management," the NEERI representatives had said. They sought the report so that they could include their opinions too. The Bombay high court is supposed to hear a case on the issue on April 21 and NEERI had expected the report before then.
NMC superintending engineer (sewage and water supply department) U B Pawar said, "We have already prepared the report and have submitted it to the revenue commissioner. He will submit it to the court on Thursday."
NEERI had suggested prohibition on any kind of construction activities, such as buildings and jogging tracks, in the red line area.
Municipal commissioner Praveen Gedam said, "There is no place for new constructions in the gaothan areas. Redevelopment can be done and has to be done as the constructions are old. Stilt construction can be done so that flood water flows away. Between blue to red line we can construct jogging tracks where water will percolate. If we do not do this, there will be unnecessary encroachments."
NEERI also said the phytorid treatment plant at the Gangapur nullah was not according to its recommendations and hence could not treat waste water. "We have been asking about this since the past six months and have also filed an RTI. We are yet to receive the reply," a NEERI representative said.