Overcoming legal hurdles, Pune’s Riverfront Development project to accelerate despite public outcry

Speedy Implementation

The project has been facing opposition from environmentalists and civil society who managed to raise the issue in the National Green Tribunal and Supreme Court citing the damage to ecology of the river and increasing chances of flood situation during monsoon but the civic administration has been able to overcome all the hurdles in implementing the project which is considered to be the pet project of the Prime Minister. “The Pune RFD has been included in the War Room of Chief Minister so the process of land acquisition will be speeded up along with actual work on site,” said Yuvraj Deshmukh, incharge of RFD in PMC.

The development and beautification project covers both sides of the 44.4-km river stretch passing through the city, which includes 22.2 km of the Mula, 10.4 km of the Mutha and 11.8 km of the Mula-Mula rivers. (Image: pmc.gov.in)

Project area divided in 11 stretched

The project has been divided into eleven stretches for proper implementation. The work on the 3.7 km stretch from Sangamwadi to Bund Garden is 80 percent complete and is likely to be open to the public in June this year. It will cost Rs 265 crore to the civic body.

The development of RFD for a 5.3 km stretch from Bund Garden to Mundhwa bridge has been undertaken at a cost of Rs 462 crore and Rs 142 crore for riverside road. It is around 30 percent complete and moving at a slow pace due to land acquisition problems.

The PMC has also undertaken work of 8.8 km stretch from Wakad to Sangvi at an estimated cost of Rs 297 crore for which the designing of the riverfront is being done.

Flood protection by building embankments

The project aims to construct relevant embankments of 91 km along the banks to protect low-lying areas from flooding, as stated in the project report. In sparsely developed areas, rural riparian embankments will be built, while urban riparian embankments will be constructed in moderately developed areas. In intensely developed areas with high banks, more engineered embankments will be built. The embankments on both sides of the river will be designed to contain floods. There will be green embankments in a 247-hectare area, which will include landscaping on the sloped pitching of the urban and rural riparian.

Reducing impact of obstructions on water flow

The project proposes to reduce the impact of indiscriminately built obstructions such as bridges, causeways, weirs and check dams on the flow of water in Pune’s rivers by removing, streamlining, remodelling or rebuilding them. The effect of such interventions will be to reduce the high flood level, according to the master plan.

Checking river pollution

An interceptor sewer will be laid in the project area to curb and divert sewage to the nearest sewage treatment plant, preventing sewage from flowing directly into the river. Environment clearance for the project has been granted on various conditions, including that the civic body ensures only treated sewage water is released into the river.

Making river accessible to the public

Building embankments will enable the creation of a continuous public realm along both banks of Pune’s rivers, allowing people to move along the length of the river. Pedestrian and cycling routes are proposed along the riverfront.

Making river an asset of the city

The project aims to create a network of gardens, open spaces and public places that will help preserve the natural environment and turn the Pune rivers into an important asset for the city. Existing open spaces like gardens and parks, heritage structures along the river and ghats will also be integrated with the riverfront development.

Green belt development

There are 22,150 trees in the project area, of which 11,000 trees will be cut and 11,150 trees will be transplanted. The project will include the planting of 30,000 trees of local species in the project area. Eighty-four per cent of the riverbank will feature a green embankment consisting of vegetated areas. All the species recommended for grasses, shrubs and trees are those that attract and “are highly favourable and conducive as habitats for fauna”. The redevelopment of 82.45 hectares of the garden alongside the river has also been proposed.

Proper connectivity across the river

There are four bridges at strategic locations for pedestrian connectivity across the river. Similarly, three new vehicular bridges are proposed to be developed by the PMC, while all existing bridges will be integrated with the proposed embankments.

Barrages for water retention

Four barrages are proposed on the river. The Bund Garden Barrage will be retained, while a check dam and a weir will be converted into advanced barrages, with an additional barrage proposed in the project. This will enable water sports and boating in the river.

Public amenities

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