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Morning walks, cycling: New riverside retreat for Pune residents from Feb 15 as PMC completes a milestone in RFD project

The PMC has completed 90 per cent of the work on the Sangamwadi–Bund Garden section of the Pune RFD project. Access to the new riverfront will be limited to specific morning and evening hours.

4 min readPuneUpdated: Jan 27, 2026 05:37 PM IST

As the first section of the Mula-Mutha RFD opens this month, the PMC is fast-tracking the remaining Sangamwadi-Kalyani Nagar stretch (Express Photo).

The Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) will open a 1.5-km stretch of the Mula-Mutha riverbank to the public and residents on its foundation day, February 15. Residents will be able to walk, cycle, and enjoy recreational activities along this section, which is part of the 44.4-km-long riverfront development (RFD) project.

The civic administration has divided the project into phases, each covering different stretches. The first stretch is a 3.7-km section from Sangamwadi to Bund Garden. Following that, the development of a 5.5-km stretch from Bund Garden to Mundhwa and an 8.1-km stretch from Aundh to Balewadi was taken up.

“The 90 percent of the work on the stretch from Sangamwadi to Bundgarden is complete. Of the 3.7-km stretch, the development work on a 1.5-km section is finished,” said Prashant Waghmare, city engineer, PMC.

Once the PMC opens the 1.5-km stretch of the RFD from Sangamwadi to Bund Garden to the public on February 15, residents will have access to this area for physical exercise and recreational purposes from 6 to 9 am and 5 to 8 pm. The PMC is working to complete the 5-km stretch from Sangamwadi to Kalyaninagar by the end of March this year, said Waghmare.

The civic administration will undertake a tree-plantation drive under the RFD in the developed area, involving newly elected corporators. This project will be open to the public for cycling, walking, and recreational activities, ensuring that all necessary facilities are available for citizens. The initiative aims to provide residents with access to nature while they engage in their daily activities.

In the RFD, the PMC has proposed various theme parks for citizens to enjoy views of the riverfront, said Waghmare.

RFD project and legal challenges

The PMC’s Rs 4,727-crore RFD project, which faced significant criticism and legal challenges from citizen groups and environmentalists, is being implemented along the lines of the Sabarmati riverfront development project in Ahmedabad. In Pune, the RFD will cover 44 km of riverfront, with 22 km developed on each side, extending through Pimpri Chinchwad as well.

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The PMC asserts that the project will enhance the rivers’ water-carrying capacity and provide complete flood protection for the localities adjacent to the river.

In March 2022, Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced the project, which was subsequently challenged by environmentalists before the National Green Tribunal (NGT) and the Supreme Court. The court directed the government to obtain the necessary environmental clearance for the project and to adhere to the guidelines set by the expert committee. Environmentalists expressed concerns about potential damage to the river’s ecology and the increased risk of flooding during the monsoon season.

In 2017, Ahmedabad-based HPC Design, Planning and Management Pvt Ltd prepared the plan for the RFD, estimated to cost around Rs 4,700 crore. The development and beautification project covers both sides of the 44.4-km river stretch passing through the city, including 22.2 km of the Mula, 10.4 km of the Mutha, and 11.8 km of the Mula-Mula rivers.

The project has been divided into eleven stretches for proper implementation. The project aims to construct 91 km of relevant embankments along the banks to protect low-lying areas from flooding. There will be green embankments in a 247-hectare area, including landscaping on the sloped pitches of the urban and rural riparian areas. Four barrages are proposed on the river.

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The Bund Garden barrage will be preserved, while a check dam and a weir will be upgraded to advanced barrages, with an additional barrage proposed for the project. This enhancement will facilitate water sports and boating on the river.

The project proposes public amenities on 23 hectares of land, including 18 temples, 18 crematoriums, and an increase in food courts from five to 11. The public will be able to access the river via 249 staircases, 19 ramps, and 74 refurbished ghats. It also proposes parks and gardens on 50 hectares of land.

Ajay Jadhav

Ajay Jadhav is an Assistant Editor at The Indian Express, Pune. With over 22 years of experience in the industry, he is a highly specialized journalist whose work focuses on the intersection of urban infrastructure, governance, and sustainability. Professional Background Role: As Assistant Editor, he plays a key role in the editorial direction of the Pune bureau, specializing in urban policy and its direct impact on citizens. Education: He holds a Master’s degree in Communication and Journalism from Savitribai Phule Pune University and a PG Diploma in Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR). He also studied at the prestigious Fergusson College. Impactful Reporting: He is credited with research-based articles on conservancy staff (waste workers) that influenced national policy for better working conditions. He is also known for exposing the contrast between high-end infrastructure (like helipads for leaders) and the lack of basic amenities like schools in their home districts. Personal Interests: An avid trekker and sports enthusiast, his personal interest in the outdoors often informs his reporting on environmental protection and sustainable development. Recent Notable Articles (December 2025) His reporting in late 2025 has been dominated by the upcoming January 2026 Civic Polls in Pune and Pimpri-Chinchwad, and the city's infrastructure boom: 1. Political Analysis (Civic Elections 2026) "Not friendly but a bitter fight lies ahead between BJP and NCP for PMC, PCMC" (Dec 22, 2025): A detailed look at the intense rivalry between the Mahayuti partners as they prepare for the January 15 municipal elections. "Pune civic polls: Big blow to NCP, NCP(SP) as leaders switch to BJP" (Dec 20, 2025): Reporting on high-profile poaching and party-hopping ahead of the elections. "Ajit Pawar's NCP continues domination in Pune, wins 10 of 17 local bodies" (Dec 21, 2025): Analyzing the results of the local self-government body elections as a precursor to the main civic polls. 2. Infrastructure & Urban Development "Looking Ahead at 2026: Pune to see inauguration of much-awaited Hinjewadi to Shivajinagar metro route" (Dec 22, 2025): An "outlook" piece on the critical Metro Line 3 project expected to finish by March 2026. "Building Pune: PMC to construct double-decker bridge over Mula-Mutha River" (Dec 18, 2025): Detailing a major project aimed at easing traffic between Hadapsar and Kharadi. "Condition of highway from Pune to Kolhapur to improve in a year: Gadkari" (Dec 4, 2025): Reporting on the Union Minister’s assurances regarding one of the state's most critical transport corridors. 3. Civic Governance & Environment "Install sensors, LED indicators at construction sites within 15 days: PMC to builders" (Dec 16, 2025): A follow-up to the "Breathless Pune" series, reporting on new mandates for builders to monitor air quality in real-time. "Errors in electoral rolls: PMC corrects data of 92,466 voters" (Dec 16, 2025): Tracking the administrative efforts to clean up the voter lists before the 2026 elections. Signature Style Ajay Jadhav is known for accountability journalism. His work often bridges the gap between high-level policy and the "ground zero" reality of Pune's residents. He is particularly focused on Sustainable Development, ensuring that as Pune grows into a "Bharat Mandapam" style destination (referring to his report on the Lohegaon project), its environmental and social safeguards remain intact. X (Twitter): @ajay_khape ... Read More

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