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‘Once we swam in the rivers, now can’t even sit near them’: Pimple Saudagar residents call for cleanup, oppose RFD project

A community-led campaign fights to save the Pavana, Mula and Indrayani rivers in Pune's Pimpri-Chinchwad area.

To raise awareness about pollution across the Pavana, Mula, and Indrayani rivers, over a hundred residents formed a human chain in Pimple Saudagar on March 23. (Express Photo)

To raise awareness about pollution across the Pavana, Mula, and Indrayani rivers, over a hundred residents formed a human chain in Pimple Saudagar on March 23. They stressed cleanup rather than concretisation along the riverbanks and opposed the Riverfront Development (RFD) project in Pimpri-Chinchwad.

“We treat the river as our mother. Suppose if cancer is detected, it needs a cure, not decoration. Similarly, when the rivers are sick they need urgent care, not beautification. The funds allotted for embankments must be diverted to clean these dying rivers. A robust sewage treatment plant is essential for purifying wastewater before letting it into the river. Once we used to swim in these rivers, but now we can’t even sit near them due to their foul smell and hazardous chemicals,” said John Dsouza, a resident of Pimple Saudagar.

“It must be understood that the role of these rivers is not limited to being water resources, but it also holds a cultural and historical significance. Also, the Ganesh idols are submerged in the same polluted water. Previously, when people used to visit temples along the rivers, they first washed their feet in them. Now we can’t imagine entering the drainage-like rivers,” added Dsouza.

“The Pavana, Mula, and Indrayani rivers form the lifeline for over 30 lakh residents of Pimpri-Chinchwad city; they are even the backbone of the industrial hub. Hence, they must be restored to their natural state on a priority basis. Instead, the administration is constructing artificial embankments and recreational infrastructures by cutting trees and destroying wetlands and wildlife habitats along the riverbanks,” said Prajakta Mahajan, another participant in the human chain.

“In addition to this, the Pimpri-Chinchwad Municipal Corporation is working haphazardly on the River Front Development Project. This hastiness is destroying the biodiversity along the river. We demand that the development be done thoughtfully by respecting the river ecology and in a sustainable way, avoiding concretisation,” added Mahajan.

Mula River Bridge, Pimple Nilakh

“We are protesting against the proposed river beautification projects with the cooperative support of concerned citizens, environmental activists, and regional NGOs. Despite persistent appeals and complaints to the administration, meaningful action to stop tree felling and river cleaning remains elusive. Assurances given by authorities to clean rivers have not been implemented. So, there’s an urgent need for ecological preservation rather than urban expansion,” said Vaishali Dalvi, founder of the Guardian NGO.

Demonstrators are protesting against the proposed river beautification projects with the cooperative support of concerned citizens, environmental activists, and regional NGOs. (Express Photo)

“We have planned to visit different spots in the city to spread awareness and reach a maximum number of citizens to educate them about the threats posed by the RFD. So far, we have demonstrated in Chinchwad and Balewadi, with the next meet scheduled at Durga Devi Tekdi in Nigdi,” added Dalvi.

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environment