Pune: The Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) has announced significant progress in its ambitious Mula-Mutha Riverfront Development Project. The first phase of the project, which spans from Sangamwadi to Bund Garden Bridge, has achieved 85% completion. Officials have set a target to complete most of the work by June. Concurrently, the second phase, extending from Bund Garden Bridge to Mundhwa, is progressing at 32% completion, with increased efforts to accelerate the pace.
The initiative was launched in March 2022, modeled after Ahmedabad’s Sabarmati Riverfront Project, to address the environmental degradation caused by rapid urbanization, untreated sewage, and illegal dumping. The 3.7-kilometer stretch of the first phase has undergone extensive improvements, including riverbank reinforcement and embankment construction.
According to Executive Engineer Bipin Shinde, both sides of the river in the first phase now feature strengthened embankments. Landscaping work is scheduled to begin soon, followed by extensive tree plantations. Additionally, a dedicated 3.7-kilometer promenade has been constructed to provide a pedestrian-friendly walkway along the river. By June, 2 kilometers of this stretch will be accessible to the public.
The project has garnered significant public interest, with students, citizens, and officials from various organizations visiting the site to witness the progress. Shinde emphasized the enthusiasm shown by the community and confirmed that efforts are underway to ensure timely completion.
Progress in the Second Phase
The second phase of the project covers a 5-kilometer section between Bund Garden Bridge and Mundhwa. So far, 4 kilometers of embankments have been constructed, alongside the development of traditional ghats. Cremation grounds of three different religious communities, located within the floodplain in Wadgaon Sheri, are also being relocated. This process is expected to conclude within the next six weeks.
Additionally, 3 kilometers of a pedestrian promenade have been completed in this phase. Officials aim to maintain the current momentum to achieve further milestones in the coming months.
Yuvraj Deshmukh, head of the PMC’s Special Projects Department, reaffirmed the commitment to progress. “The first phase has reached 85% completion, with 2 kilometers expected to be completed by June. The second phase is also progressing steadily, with 32% of the work completed,” he said. The ongoing development represents a major step toward rejuvenating Pune’s riverfront and providing the city with an environmentally sustainable urban space.