As election campaigns for Pune's civic body gain momentum, the city's severely polluted river systems have surged to the forefront as a defining issue for voters. Citizens across Pune and PCMC areas are expressing deep frustration with political slogans, demanding instead visible and sustained action to restore the health of waterways like the Mutha, Mula, Pawana, and Indrayani.
Citizens Voice Anger Over 'Open Drains'
The state of the rivers is no longer just an environmental concern but a daily quality-of-life crisis for residents. Jyoti Devadkar, a resident of PCMC, voiced a common sentiment, stating that the Pawana river has effectively become an open drain. "The constant stench from it has become a major problem. I don't want any more promises. I want my elected representatives to implement a strong plan to clean the Pawana river," Devadkar said.
Echoing this, Yuvraj Gatkal from Vadgaon, Sinhagad Road, emphasized the core demand for efficient sewage management. He stressed that elected officials must ensure all sewage is diverted to fully operational treatment plants, achieving zero discharge into the rivers. "Protecting river health and ensuring healthy neighbourhoods should be a core responsibility of those elected," Gatkal asserted.
The Root Cause: Inadequate Sewage Treatment
Environmental activists point directly to systemic failures in wastewater management as the primary culprit. Shailaja Deshpande of Jeevitnadi highlighted that the problem persists due to the discharge of raw and partially treated sewage from both the PMC and PCMC sides. Citing Maharashtra Pollution Control Board records, she noted that many stretches of the Mula, Mutha, Pawana, and Indrayani rivers fall under 'Priority I & II' categories, meaning they are extremely polluted and unfit for any use, including agriculture.
Kiran Bhosale, a resident of Punawale, called rivers the heart of Pune, "yet they are choking under pollution and neglect." She urged for immediate steps from future representatives to treat sewage, revive wetlands, and protect riverbanks to prevent worsening floods and health hazards.
Beyond Cleanup: Protecting Riparian Zones
The election discourse has also amplified concerns over the preservation of vital riparian zones, which are biodiversity hubs crucial for flood control and groundwater recharge. These areas face significant threat from projects like the Riverfront Development Project.
Sayali Patwardhan from Aundh made a comprehensive appeal, calling for the protection of all city rivers—Mula, Mutha, Mula-Mutha, Pawana, Indrayani, and Ramnadi—from pollution and encroachment. "Protecting riparian zones is crucial. Elected representatives must commit to preserving this natural heritage, which has already suffered severe damage," Patwardhan stated. The collective voice from citizen groups is clear: the upcoming civic polls on January 11, 2026, are a referendum on the city's environmental governance, with river restoration as the central metric for voter approval.
