Pune: PMC, PCMC to set up committee to implement Mula river rejuvenation project

Mula river flows through both PMC and PCMC areas for 44.4 km.

PCMC officials said while developing the area along the river, it will be ensured things are done in a natural way without affecting the flora and fauna of the region. (Express photo by Arun Horizon)

The Pune and Pimpri-Chinchwad municipal corporations (PMC and PCMC) will set up a committee of senior officials from both the civic bodies for various approvals required for pre and post tendering process for the Mula River Rejuvenation Project. Both the civic bodies will spend a collective amount of Rs 625 crore for phase one of the project.

“The civic standing committee has approved the proposal moved by the civic administration for setting up of the committee. It has also approved PCMC’s share of Rs 321 crore for the first phase of the project,” the committee said. The committee is headed by Municipal Commissioner Shekhar Singh who placed the docket of the Mula Rejuvenation Project before the standing committee during the meeting held Tuesday.

Mula river flows through both PMC and PCMC areas for 44.4 km.

According to the proposal, both PMC and PCMC will jointly undertake the rejuvenation project. “They will jointly implement the tender process. For this purpose, the consultant had put forward a budget of Rs 625 crore for phase one of the project. Of this, PCMC’s share of expenditure will be Rs 321 crore while PMC will contribute Rs 304 crore,” the proposal said.

The proposal said a committee of senior officials of both the civic bodies will be set up to give various approvals in the pre-tendering and post-tendering stages.

Officials said both the civic bodies have also decided to set up a Dispute Review Committee to resolve disputes arising out of the project. The committee will be headed by the PMC municipal commissioner while the PCMC commissioner will be its deputy chairman. Additional commissioners, city engineers, joint city engineers, chief accounts and finance officers will be a part of the committee, among others.

PCMC officials said while developing the area along the river, it will be ensured things are done in a natural way without affecting the flora and fauna of the region. “Permissions to construct weirs have already been given. To begin with, the 8.8 km stretch between Wakad Bypass and Sangvi Bridge will be taken up. Both the civic bodies will jointly undertake the work of appointing project consultants, preparing project reports and its implementation,” officials said.

Manoj Dattatrye More

Manoj Dattatrye More is a Senior Editor at The Indian Express, having been with the publication since 1992. Based in Pune, he is a veteran journalist with a 33-year career that spans editorial desk work, investigative reporting, and political analysis. Professional Legacy Experience: He spent his first 16 years on the editorial desk before moving into active field reporting. He has written over 20,000 stories, including more than 10,000 bylined articles. Impact Journalism: He is widely respected for "campaign-style" reporting that leads to tangible social change. Road Safety: His decade-long campaign regarding the dangerous state of the Pune-Mumbai highway in Khadki resulted in a ₹23 crore reconstruction project in 2006, which dramatically reduced fatalities. Environmental Protection: His reports against tree cutting on the Pune-Mumbai and Pune-Nashik highways saved approximately 2,000 trees. Anti-Corruption: During the COVID-19 pandemic, he exposed a scam where doctors were being asked to pay bribes for government jobs, resulting in them being hired without payment. Recent Notable Articles (Late 2025) Manoj More's recent work focuses heavily on the shifting political landscape of Maharashtra and civic governance in the Pimpri-Chinchwad area: 1. Political Shifts & Alliances "Ajit Pawar's NCP continues domination in Pune, wins 10 of 17 local bodies" (Dec 21, 2025): A major report on the local self-government election results, detailing the NCP’s stronghold in Baramati, Indapur, and Lonavala. "BJP ropes in 13 ex-corporators, deals major blow to NCP" (Dec 20, 2025): Reporting on a significant political defection in Pimpri-Chinchwad as the BJP gears up for civic polls. "Congress opts for solo BMC run as alliance talks with Sena (UBT) collapse" (Dec 17, 2025): Covering the breakdown of Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) talks for the Mumbai civic elections. "NCP(SP)'s Rahul Kalate, Sena (UBT) leader Sanjog Waghere set to join BJP" (Dec 19, 2025): Detailing high-profile party-hopping ahead of the municipal elections. 2. Civic & Administrative Accountability "PCMC draws ire for issuing tenders worth Rs 250 crore just before poll code" (Dec 17, 2025): An investigative piece on the Pimpri-Chinchwad Municipal Corporation’s last-minute spending spree before election restrictions. "93 killed in 76 accidents in five years: Bypass service roads in Pune remain undeveloped for 18 yrs" (Nov 16, 2025): A critical look at the long-delayed infrastructure projects contributing to fatalities on Pune’s bypass roads. 3. Social & Labor Issues "As state says TCS has laid off 376 employees: FITE flags figures, say nearly 2,500 were forced to quit" (Dec 11, 2025): Investigating conflicting reports regarding IT sector layoffs in Maharashtra. "Maharashtra govt move to 'downgrade' Aadhaar cards" (Nov 30, 2025): Reporting on the state’s decision to require additional documents alongside Aadhaar to combat identity misuse. Signature Beat Manoj More is the definitive voice on Pimpri-Chinchwad, an industrial hub he has covered for three decades. His reporting is characterized by its aggressive stance against local "gondaism" (thuggery) and a relentless focus on civic infrastructure—choked drains, garbage management, and public transport. X (Twitter): @manojmore91982 ... Read More

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