Pune infra watch: PMC finally set to launch Mula-Mutha river rejuvenation project

The PMC has completed the tender process for two stretches and would be opening the bids this week. It is likely to issue a work order in the next few days and also plans to lay the foundation stone of the project. It completed all the necessary surveys, base map preparation and environment impact assessment for the project in 2017.

The Rs 4,727-crore project is being implemented to clean the river and make it pollution-free, reducing the risk of flooding, making the entire riverbank accessible to the public, retaining water, improving the city’s connectivity to the riverfront and integrating existing heritage structures, recreational, religious and socio-cultural activities.

The civic body has decided to set up nine new sewage treatment plants (STP) under the National River Cleanliness and Development (NRCD) scheme and two under riverfront development in addition to the existing 11 sewage treatment plants to ensure no untreated sewage is released in the river.

It has decided to ensure 79 per cent of green embankments to reduce the risk of flooding with 33.9-km of rural riparian, 38.8-km of urban riparian and 19.8-km with engineered sections.

To make the river more accessible for the public, the PMC will develop 50 new ghats in addition to the existing 20 ghats. It has proposed a total of 270 new access points against the existing 53 access points. These will encourage social-cultural, recreational and religious activities.

The project plans to introduce sporting activities like boating by retaining water in the river by constructing one new barrage near the Garware bridge in addition to the existing three barrages on the river.

It will also bring in major changes in road infrastructure in areas alongside the river. “We have proposed new roads for better connectivity on either side and across the river while removing few roads in the riverbed,” Municipal Commissioner Vikram Kumar said.

Also, 18 temples alongside the river will be integrated with the project. There are a total of 18 crematoriums and burial grounds alongside the river, which will also be integrated into the beautification project.

Meanwhile, environmentalists are opposing the project saying it will destroy the ecology of the river and increase flood conditions in future. Environmentalist Sarang Yadwadkar said, “The city is already a flood-prone area so what is the need for a river beautification project. Is the civic administration working under some pressure to implement the project?”

The state water resource department has put the onus on PMC on possible flooding due to the project. “We are once again conveying that the PMC should ensure that there should be no obstacle in the flow of river water. The water carrying capacity of the river should not get reduced and there should not be any changes made to the river. If there is an obstacle to the flow of river water then the water resource department would take action against the work,” it had said recently.