Pune Riverfront Development Project's First Phase Set for February 15 Inauguration
The Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) has announced that the inaugural phase of its ambitious Riverfront Development (RFD) project will be opened to the public on February 15. This initial segment spans a 1.5-kilometer stretch along the riverbanks in the Sangamwadi area, marking a significant milestone in the city's urban transformation efforts.
Project Scope and Current Progress
The comprehensive RFD initiative encompasses the entire 44-kilometer length of the Mula and Mutha rivers that flow through Pune. In the first phase, authorities prioritized work on a 3.7-kilometer section between Sangamwadi and Bund Garden, with approximately 90% of construction already completed. The 1.5-kilometer Sangamwadi portion has been fully prepared for public access with all necessary amenities in place.
Expansion efforts are actively progressing on additional sections, including a substantial 5.5-kilometer stretch extending from Bund Garden to Mundhwa and an 8.1-kilometer segment between Aundh and Balewadi. According to civic officials, the PMC plans to develop various public facilities along the riverfront, including thematic parks and recreational spaces designed to enhance urban living.
Official Vision and Environmental Opposition
PMC Commissioner Naval Kishore Ram emphasized the project's benefits, stating, "The Riverfront Development will provide residents with access to natural environments enhanced by modern amenities for walking, cycling, and recreational activities. This represents a thoughtful integration of urban infrastructure with ecological considerations."
However, environmental activists have voiced strong opposition to the project's implementation. Environmentalist Prajkta Divekar criticized the approach, calling the Pune RFD "a vanity project that neither rejuvenates the rivers nor genuinely connects people to these natural water bodies." She elaborated, "Instead of meaningful restoration, we're seeing permanent construction along the banks that disrupts existing ecosystems and imposes artificial uniformity. The PMC should have focused on reviving the river, protecting biodiversity, and creating recreational spaces that harmonize with nature rather than dominate it. Significant financial resources are being allocated for minimal ecological benefits."
Environmental Concerns and Community Response
Critics have raised multiple concerns about the RFD project's potential impacts:
- Significant disruption to the river's natural ecosystem and biodiversity
- Increased flooding risks during monsoon seasons due to altered river dynamics
- Potential prioritization of real estate development over environmental preservation
The project has faced substantial public opposition, with over 2,500 citizens gathering in Baner during January for a Chipko-style protest. Participants expressed concerns about multiple projects they believe are damaging Pune's rivers, including the Mula, Mutha, Pavana, and Indrayani waterways.
Regulatory Approvals and Parallel Projects
In November 2024, the PMC received environmental clearance for its Mula-Mutha riverfront development initiative, which involves river embankment construction, selective tree felling, and recreational space development. Simultaneously, the Pimpri Chinchwad Municipal Corporation obtained clearance from the State Environment Impact Assessment Authority for separate river rejuvenation projects along the Indrayani and Mula rivers.
The Riverfront Development project represents a complex intersection of urban planning ambitions, environmental preservation concerns, and community engagement challenges as Pune continues to evolve as a major metropolitan center in Maharashtra.
