PUNE: Maharashtra state Environment Impact Assessment Authority (SEIAA) has given a green signal to the Pune Municipal Corporation’s (PMC) ambitious project of Mula-Mutha riverfront development. It is a Rs 2,600 crore project based on the model of Sabarmati river front project of Gujarat. Now, the civic body is awaiting approval from the State government to form a Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) to operate the project like Metro and Smart City.
In 2015, the PMC had given a green signal to develop Mula-Mutha river on the line of Sabarmati river front project of Gujarat.
The project includes river edge protection, interceptor sewage network, water replenishment, promenades finishing works, public access and ghats, landscape, public amenities, roads and bridges and urban infrastructure. River edge protection is one of the largest shares of riverfront development which costs Rs 1,245 crore. The PMC will spend Rs 234 crore for development of public amenities and roads and bridges.
Public access and ghats
While speaking to media, PMC’s Additional Municipal Commissioner Rubal Agrawal said, “The State government’s environment department has given clearance to Mula-Mutha riverfront development project. It is one of the important part of the project to get clearance from the environment authority. Now, we can start project-related work such as acquiring land and stop releasing sewage into river from village outskirts into the river.”
One of the officials of related to the project said, “It is a major decision to get a no objection certificate (NOC) from the environment ministry. Now, we have to get permission from the state to form a SPV for the project. We have already sent a proposal to the State government’s urban development department and we are awaiting approval. The actual project work will start after the approval.”
According to civic officials, Mula-Mutha river flows in PMC, PCMC, Khadki and Pune Cantonment areas for 44 kilometres. The PMC will have to spend Rs 20 crore per kilometre for development of the riverfront. It will take more than five years to complete the project. There is 650 hectares of land available for development green belt of river which will be given to development to private players to get funds for the project. Out of 650 hectares, only 75 hectares belongs to government and remaining is private. Hence, the PMC will get money from development charges of land.
About SPV
Pune and Pimpri Chinchwad Municipal Corporations will have to raise seed fund of Rs 500 crore. Remaining amount of project will have to raised from private parties. However, it will happen after approval of the State government to form a SPV for the project.
Pune Mayor, Standing Committee chairman, leader of the house, Opposition leader, PMC commissioner, Pimpri Chinchwad Municipal Corporation (PCMC) commissioner, Chief Executive Officer of Cantonment, Divisional commissioner, PMC city engineer, experts in the field of river development and conservation are members of SPV.
Project includes
