How clean can be my river: Unique riverbed walk in Pune showcases citizen action

Unique walk along the river showcases citizen action

The walk ended at Manas Lake which is being desilted at present, in view of the water shortage in Pune distrcit. JCB machines are a common sight here.(Express Photo by Arul Horizon)

In a one-of-a-kind walk organised on Saturday by Pune Samvad, residents of Pune who signed up were taken on a tour along a river, which rarely becomes the topic of any conversation. Krunnal Gharre, an enginer-cum-advocate, and Anil Karanjawane, a teacher, led the tour on foot along the Ramnadi, which is a major river in Pune. On its banks thrive places like Baner, Aundh, and others, but large stretches of the water body have fallen prey to modernisation which has led to contamination with sewage and discolouration of its waters.

At Bavdhan, Gharre and Karanjawane, joined hands six months ago to clean the 6-km stretch of the Ramnadi. The effort paid off after 21 days. They were joined by Mauli Satpute who supervised the work and raised funds, among other tasks.

The walk, attended by a crowd, made up of dancers, students, and nature lovers, began at the Ramnadi Bridge in Bavdhan. “When I was younger, there were farmlands around the river and farmers would look after the riverside. During the construction boom of the 1990s, farmers began selling their lands and moving away. Thereafter, thoughtless planning led to the present decadence of the river,” said Karanjawane.

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The trickle of water under Ramnadi Bridge is clear now, after the three got JCB machines through crowd funding and other resources to desilt and clean the riverbed, repair sewage chambers and set up barriers to trap sewage and trash that flow with the water once monsoon picks up.

The walk wound past the Songbirds building complex, beside an old temple, as Gharre pointed out sites of waterfalls, pools with possible hidden springs as well as breaches in drains from where filth enters the river.

“Organisations, private of government, or groups of people can use our model of Ramnadi to clean up stretches of Pawana and Indrayani rivers too,” says Gharre, who is also vice president (Pune) of Aam Aadmi Party.

The walk ended at Manas Lake which is being desilted at present, in view of the water shortage in Pune distrcit. JCB machines are a common sight here. “The inititaive of desilting the lake has been taken up by surrounding villages and building complexes. Somebody donated JCB machines and others helped out with other machinery. It is estimated that desilting Manas Lake will augment the lake with more than 3.5 crore litres of water,” says Gharre.

Dipanita Nath

Dipanita Nath is a Senior Assistant Editor at The Indian Express, based in Pune. She is a versatile journalist with a deep interest in the intersection of culture, sustainability, and urban life. Professional Background Experience: Before joining The Indian Express, she worked with other major news organizations including Hindustan Times, The Times of India, and Mint. Core Specializations: She is widely recognized for her coverage of the climate crisis, theatre and performing arts, heritage conservation, and the startup ecosystem (often through her "Pune Inc" series). Storytelling Focus: Her work often unearths "hidden stories" of Pune—focusing on historical institutes, local traditions, and the personal journeys of social innovators. Recent Notable Articles (December 2025) Her recent reporting highlights Pune’s cultural pulse and the environmental challenges facing the city during the winter season: 1. Climate & Environment "Pune shivers on coldest morning of the season; minimum temperature plunges to 6.9°C" (Dec 20, 2025): Reporting on the record-breaking cold wave in Pune and the IMD's forecast for the week. "How a heritage tree-mapping event at Ganeshkhind Garden highlights rising interest in Pune’s green legacy" (Dec 20, 2025): Covering a citizen-led initiative where Gen Z and millennials gathered to document and protect ancient trees at a Biodiversity Heritage Site. "Right to breathe: Landmark NGT order directs PMC to frame norms for pollution from construction sites" (Dec 8, 2025): Reporting on a significant legal victory for residents fighting dust and air pollution in urban neighborhoods like Baner. 2. "Hidden Stories" & Heritage "Inside Pune library that’s nourished minds of entrepreneurs for 17 years" (Dec 21, 2025): A feature on the Venture Center Library, detailing how a collection of 3,500 specialized books helps tech startups navigate the product life cycle. "Before he died, Ram Sutar gave Pune a lasting gift" (Dec 18, 2025): A tribute to the legendary sculptor Ram Sutar (creator of the Statue of Unity), focusing on his local works like the Chhatrapati Shivaji statue at Pune airport. "The Pune institute where MA Jinnah was once chief guest" (Dec 6, 2025): An archival exploration of the College of Agriculture, established in 1907, and its historical role in India's freedom struggle. 3. Arts, Theatre & "Pune Inc" "Satyajit Ray, Ritwik Ghatak were not rivals but close friends, says veteran filmmaker" (Dec 17, 2025): A deep-dive interview ahead of the Pune International Film Festival (PIFF) exploring the camaraderie between legends of Indian cinema. "Meet the Pune entrepreneur helping women build and scale businesses" (Dec 16, 2025): Part of her "Pune Inc" series, profiling Nikita Vora’s efforts to empower female-led startups. "How women drone pilots in rural Maharashtra are cultivating a green habit" (Dec 12, 2025): Exploring how technology is being used by women in agriculture to reduce chemical use and labor. Signature Style Dipanita Nath is known for intellectual curiosity and a narrative-driven approach. Whether she is writing about a 110-year-old eatery or the intricacies of the climate crisis, she focuses on the human element and the historical context. Her columns are often a blend of reportage and cultural commentary, making them a staple for readers interested in the "soul" of Pune. X (Twitter): @dipanitanath ... Read More

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water conservation