Pune Indrayani River Rejuvenation Project – All Details

The Mula River originates from the Mulshi Dam and travels approximately 64 km before merging with the Mutha River at Sangamwadi. About 22.2 km of its downstream course lies within the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) area. Several villages are situated along the Mula River within both PMC and Pimpri-Chinchwad Municipal Corporation (PCMC) areas. Similarly, the Mutha River starts at the Khadakwasla Dam and flows around 15 km to join the Mula River. Approximately 10.4 km of this stretch is within PMC jurisdiction, passing through many villages and older parts of the city.

After the confluence, the combined Mula-Mutha River flows from east to west through the city and eventually meets the Bhima River about 50 km downstream, with 11.8 km of this section falling within PMC. The total length of these three rivers within the project area is approximately 44 km. This river stretch lies within the PMC, adjacent to areas governed by PCMC and the Defense area. The Mula River demarcates the boundary between PCMC to the north and PMC to the south, also flowing through Kirkee Cantonment Board, the College of Military Engineering, and Pimple Nilakh Defense areas before joining the Mutha River at their confluence.

Currently, the Mula, Mutha, and Mula-Mutha rivers are used for various religious and recreational purposes. Numerous temples and Visarjan Ghats, such as Omkareshwar Temple, Shiva Temple, and Ahilyabai Holkar Ghat, are located along the Mutha River near the old city area. Crematoriums, particularly along the Mula River, dispose of ash directly into the river post-cremation. Boating, once a popular recreational activity in Pune, has declined due to reduced water levels and increased pollution. The Royal Connaught Boat Club near Bund Garden and COEP Boat Club remain popular boating spots. Additionally, Dhobi Ghat operations are conducted along the riverbed at locations such as near Vartak Garden on the Mutha River and HH Aga Khan Bridge on the Mula-Mutha River.

Pune’s 44 km of river length highlights the historical significance of the Mula, Mutha, and Mula-Mutha rivers in the city’s development. However, these rivers have suffered from neglect and pollution due to rapid urbanization. Assessments through site investigations and stakeholder consultations have revealed that the rivers, once beautiful, have become polluted drains. The proposed Master Plan aims to address these issues and restore the rivers’ condition based on a thorough analysis of the current situation.

Project Objectives

1. Mitigate Flood Risk
   • Current Issue: Pune’s rivers and their adjacent areas are prone to flooding each monsoon season. Much of the area within the flood-prone zones is already developed, making flood risk management a key focus.
   • Proposed Actions: The project aims to reduce flood risk by removing, streamlining, or rebuilding obstructions such as bridges, causeways, weirs, and check dams that impede water flow. This will help minimize the flood impact from 25- or 100-year flood events.
   • Protective Measures: To safeguard low-lying areas, the project will construct well-designed embankments along the riverbanks. These embankments will vary based on the level of development and available river land.
2. Clean and Decontaminate the Rivers
   • Current Condition: Pune’s rivers and banks are heavily polluted, with solid waste, sewage, and polluted water being discharged directly into the river.
   • Proposed Solutions: The project aims to clean the river and its banks while addressing pollution from nallas (drains) and sewage treatment plants (STPs). Water from nallas will be treated through Phytorid beds to meet quality standards before being released into the river.
   • STP Improvements: To address pollution from inadequate STP capacity, trunk lines will be implemented to control sewage and stormwater effluents. Phytorid beds will also be used to treat STP water before it enters the river.
3. Restore and Replenish Water Flow
   • Current Issue: Many sections of the riverbed are currently dry. To improve water availability and support year-round recreational activities like boating, the project will replace existing water reservoirs with advanced barrages featuring low crests. This will ensure a consistent water flow and enhance the river’s ecological and aesthetic value.
4. Develop a Continuous Public Space Along the River
   • Current Condition: The river edge is often barren, inaccessible, and underutilized.
   • Proposed Development: The project will create a continuous public realm along the river, transforming it into an active and engaging space. This includes promenades, public gathering areas, and amenities such as boating facilities, vendor spaces, eateries, and religious immersion tanks. These improvements will make the riverfront a vibrant and integral part of the city.
5. Preserve and Enhance Heritage Structures
   • Current Issue: Historic structures, especially along the Mutha River near the old city, require attention.
   • Proposed Approach: The project will take a context-sensitive approach to design, integrating and enhancing the river edge while respecting the historical and cultural significance of these structures. Specific interventions will be made to highlight and preserve these heritage sites, ensuring their continued relevance and visibility.

Proposed Land Use

A significant portion of the river land is allocated as follows: 64% is designated for the proposed river width, and 19% is set aside for flood protection embankments. The remaining 17% of public land is earmarked for various uses and divided into three main categories:

• Public Greens: This category, which makes up 74% of the remaining land, includes parks, gardens, open spaces, and urban forests, enhancing the city’s green cover.
• Public Amenities and Utilities: Comprising 26% of the remaining land, this category features essential amenities such as temple ghats, visarjan facilities, parking areas, dhobi ghats, public plazas, and food courts. Additionally, utilities like electric substations, pumping stations, toilets, and drinking water facilities are included to ensure the riverfront remains active, vibrant, and functional.

Overall, the proposed land use aims to balance green spaces with practical public amenities, enhancing the riverfront’s functionality and appeal.

Proposed Bridges

Several existing bridges and causeways have low elevations and restricted openings, which obstruct water flow and become submerged during floods. This can lead to increased water levels upstream, with some bridges experiencing floodwaters rising above the bridge soffit or even overtopping the deck slab. The master plan proposes raising these bridges to address hydraulic issues and also includes plans for constructing new bridges.

Cycle Parking

Pune’s Bicycle Plan promotes cycling as a key mode of daily transportation, supported by a developing 300 km cycle track network. The proposed riverfront development will further encourage cycling by incorporating an 88 km continuous promenade designed to be cycle-friendly and walkable. This promenade will feature strategically placed cycle rental booths and parking facilities, allowing users to either bring their own bicycles or rent them on-site. Management of these facilities may be handled through a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model.

Pedestrian Bridges

The riverfront development aims to enhance connectivity between existing public spaces along the riverbanks. To facilitate this, pedestrian bridges will be proposed at various points to link public gardens and parks on both sides of the river. These bridges will be strategically located to integrate fragmented developments and can vary in design from prominent features to simpler structures, all contributing to the overall riverfront experience.

Pedestrian Trails

The Pune Riverfront Development will feature well-designed embankments, including the Rural Riparian Embankment, in less developed areas with ample public land. This approach involves minimal intervention to enhance the natural river edges at a slope of 1:3, allowing vegetation to thrive. Pedestrian trails will be provided along these riparian edges, offering users a chance to experience the natural river environment. These trails will incorporate a mix of hardscape and natural elements, ensuring a 2-meter minimum width and a meandering profile to create a more immersive and natural experience.

Project Phases

Phase 1 – River Edge Protection and Interceptor Sewage Network:

1. Removal of Obstructions: Eliminate check dams, weirs, low-lying bridges, and visarjan tanks that obstruct water flow.
2. Flood Protection Embankments:
   • Construct lower level toe walls
3. Build lower level retaining walls
4. Install anchor slabs
5. Develop middle level pitching and guide walls
6. Create upper level retaining walls and pitching

Phase 2 – Water Replenishment:

• Water Replenishment Lines: Build lines to supply water from STPs.
• New Barrages: Construct new barrages to enhance water retention.

Phase 3 – Public Accessibility:

• Lower Promenade: Complete finishing work on the lower promenade.
• Upper Promenade: Construct the upper promenade.
• Ghats and Accesses: Build ghats and access points.
• Common Urban Infrastructure: Develop general urban infrastructure.

Phase 4 – Public Amenities:

• Facilities Construction: Build toilet blocks, food courts, and Ganesh Kunds.
• Green Spaces: Develop gardens and urban forests.

Phase 5 – Road & Bridge Works:

• Additional Bridges: Construct additional bridges.
• Master Plan Integration: Integrate all elements into the master plan.
• Boating Facilities: Develop boating facilities along the riverfront.

Project Status

Currently, the Environment Department of the Government of Maharashtra has submitted Volume I – Pollution Abatement Report and Annexure, and Volume II – Flood Management and Riverfront Development, to the National River Conservation Directorate (NRCD) under the Ministry of Jal Shakti for approval. Following feedback from the NRCD, M/S WAPCOS Limited, Pune, has prepared a revised Pre-feasibility Report with an estimated cost of INR 1499 crore. This updated Pre-feasibility Report is expected to be resubmitted to the NRCD through the Department of Environment, Government of Maharashtra, in the near future.

Latest updates on project

August 2023 – Pune: Indrayani river rejuvenation project gets in-principal approval – News Source HT