Pune: The Pune Municipal Corporation's (PMC) ambitious Mula-Mutha riverfront development programme, if implemented properly, will enable citizens to walk, jog, enjoy cuisine along the banks and also go boating, in a decade.
The PMC recently formed a Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) company. The civic body wants to develop the Mula-Mutha riverfront on the lines of Sabarmati riverfront development project in Ahmedabad, Gujarat.
The project report states that boating facility will be provided near Kalyani Nagar bridge, Sambhaji garden and at Deccan. Jogging park, gardens and organised eateries have been planned in Deccan area. Amusement parks are planned at Kalyani Nagar and Koregaon Park.
Municipal Commissioner Kunal Kumar said, “The project is for creating a network of gardens, open spaces, public promenades that will preserve the natural environment and turn Pune rivers into important assets for the city. We are also developing open spaces like gardens and parks, heritage structures and ghats. It will give relief from Mula-Mutha river pollution.”
He added, “There are 650 hectors land available for developing the green belt of the river which will be given for development to private players to get funds for the project. Out of 650 hectors of land, only 75 hectors belong to the government. So, we can get money through development charges.”
The project will treat and divert the sewage that floods the river. The project includes water-based activities and historical and significant structures. The PMC has claimed it will strengthen the river edge and minimise flood risk for low-lying areas.
What can be prevented using riverfront project
- Untreated sewage flowing into rivers
- Garbage being dumped in the rivers
- Construction debris being dumped in the rivers
- The river being encroached upon by unplanned development
- Threat of flooding
- River being inaccessible for citizens
- Rivers dividing the city instead of uniting it
Time set by PMC to complete the project: 10 years
Estimated cost: Rs 2,619 crore.
Estimated cost of river edge protection: Rs 1,245 crore
Cost of public amenities: Rs 234 crore
Projects include:
- River edge protection
- Interceptor sewage network
- Water replenishment
- Promenade finishing works
- Public access to ghats
- Landscape, public amenities, roads and bridges and urban infrastructure
