NGT Dismisses Petition, Mula-Mutha Riverfront Development Project Gains Momentum
Pune: The Mula-Mutha Riverfront Development Project is set to accelerate as the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) has received revised environmental clearance following a dismissal of a petition against it by the National Green Tribunal (NGT).
The NGT's ruling allows the corporation to fast-track its ongoing work, which commenced in March 2022.The project spans a total length of 44 kilometers and is divided into 11 phases, with an estimated budget of ₹4,727 crores.
Currently, work from Sangamwadi to Bundgarden is 85% complete, while the segment from Bundgarden to Mundhwa Bridge stands at 27% completion.
Local environmentalists had previously raised concerns over the project, prompting Sarang Yadavdkar to file a petition with the NGT. The petition cited issues such as potential flooding, deforestation, and other environmental impacts.
The NGT mandated that the PMC could only proceed with the project after securing the necessary environmental clearance, which temporarily halted vital activities such as tree pruning and replanting.
After addressing these concerns, the PMC submitted a comprehensive report to the State Environmental Impact Assessment Authority (SEIAA), which was finally granted clearance following a recent hearing.
This pivotal approval has enabled the PMC to move forward, allowing for the resumption of tree management activities and other related works.
Advocate Rahul Garg represented the PMC during the recent NGT proceedings, successfully arguing for the project’s continuation.
With the legal hurdles now cleared, the municipal corporation is poised to enhance the riverbank infrastructure while ensuring environmental safeguards are in place.
Mula-Mutha Riverfront Development Project Highlights:
Length: 44 kilometers
Total Cost: ₹4,727 crores
Current Completion: Sangamwadi to Bundgarden - 85%; Bundgarden to Mundhwa - 27%
Next Steps: Tree felling and replanting to proceed swiftly
Prashant Waghmare, City Engineer for PMC, expressed optimism about the progress, stating, “The revised environmental clearance will significantly expedite the remaining works, ensuring we meet our project milestones efficiently.”
