Pune: Delay in project to curb pollution in Mula and Mutha rivers pushes up cost by over 50%

Municipal Commissioner Vikram Kumar said the PMC needed to make budgetary provisions to contribute some money for the project considering the increased project cost.

River cleaning in progress at Mula-Mutha river. (Express Photo: Arul Horizon, File)

The delay in implementation of a project to curb pollution in Mula and Mutha rivers has hiked the project cost to Rs 1,511.34 crore from the Rs 990.26 crore estimated in 2016.The civic administration has recently undertaken retendering of the project to begin the actual work.

The project cost was estimated to be Rs 990.26 crore in 2016 after it was approved by the Union government. Under the proposed project, the PMC plans to construct 11 new sewage treatment plants (STPs) of combined treatment capacity of 396 million litres per day to cater to the city’s sewage generation up to 2027, along with laying 113.6 km of sewer lines.

The 11 new STPs are proposed in Botanical garden, Baner, Warje, Wadgaon Budruk, Tanajiwadi, Naidu Hospital, Dhanori, Bhairoba nalla, Mundhwa, Kharadi and Matsyabeej centre. The project is planned to be completed in three years.

The National River Conservation Directorate of the Union government had given its go-ahead for the project in 2016. Of the original estimate cost of Rs 990.26 crore, the Centre was to provide 85 per cent of the funding by taking a soft loan from Japan Industrial Cooperation Agency (JICA). As per the agreement with the Union government, Rs 841.72 crore (85 per cent of Rs 990.26 crore) was to come from the Centre, while the remaining amount had to be raised by the civic body.

Municipal Commissioner Vikram Kumar said the PMC needed to make budgetary provisions to contribute some money for the project considering the increased project cost.

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According to civic administration, the construction cost had increased by Rs 305 crore and there is addition of another Rs 216.08 crore for its maintenance and repair, which has taken the overall project cost to Rs 1,511.34 crore.

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The PMC had estimated expenditure of Rs 764.40 crore for construction of STPs and laying sewage lines in riverside and central part of city and got approval in 2015. However, the revised estimate has increased its cost to Rs 1,080.02 crore.

The PMC also has to make budgetary provision for maintenance and repair work of the 11 STP to be constructed under the project. Thus, the estimated cost for the purpose is Rs 216.08 crore.

The public awareness campaign and providing technical support to the staff would require Rs 7.2 crore as against estimated Rs 5.4 crore in 2016. Similarly, the cost of setting up SCADA system and use of GIS technology for the project has increased from Rs 16.10 crore to Rs 22.38 crore due to the delay.

The PMC so far has been able to lay 18.50 km of sewage lines in Baner-Balewadi area at a cost of Rs 23.5 crore and would require additional Rs 8 crore for the purpose.

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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