Pune River Rejuvenation: The Final Piece is Approved

The Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) has granted final approval for the construction of a sewage treatment plant (STP) at the College of Agriculture’s botanical garden, as part of the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA)-funded Mula-Mutha River Rejuvenation Project.

This approval follows the issuance of a no-objection certificate (NOC) from the Maharashtra State Biodiversity Board and land clearance from Mahatma Phule Agricultural University. Earlier delays due to the site’s biodiversity heritage status have now been resolved, allowing the project to move forward. The proposed STP will have a treatment capacity of 350 million litres per day (MLD), helping to significantly improve the water quality of the polluted Mula-Mutha River.

Under the ₹1,173-crore project, a total of 11 STPs are planned, with ten already under construction. An additional ₹300.21 crore has been allocated for maintenance over the next 15 years. Upon completion in 2025, the project is expected to treat up to 95% of Pune’s sewage, marking a major step toward long-term environmental sustainability.

News by Rahul Yelligetti.