Need Structures Allowing Free Flow Of Flood Water: Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister

Last week, Konkan region's Ratnagiri and Raigad districts as well as Kolhapur and Sangli districts of western Maharashtra witnessed heavy flooding.

Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar on Friday said that residential structures in flood-prone areas should be built in such a way that they allow free flow of flood water on the ground, which would avoid damage. He was speaking after flagging off the first trial run of the Pune Metro rail on Vanaz-Ramwadi route. Talking about the last week's flood situation in Konkan region's Ratnagiri and Raigad districts as well as Kolhapur and Sangli districts of western Maharashtra, Mr Pawar said,"Cities like Mahad (Raigad), Chiplun (Ratnagiri) face flood situation. If these areas witness flood water reaching up to the level of 10 feet, then we would suggest that the residential structures there should be elevated with columns of up to that height." "This should be done in such a way that the flood water flows smoothly underneath such structures without any restriction...This method of development can be adopted in these areas," he said.