The long-awaited and controversial Pune Riverfront opening has been put on hold following the tragic demise of NCP leader Ajit Pawar. The Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) had planned to open a 1.5 km stretch of the Mula-Mutha riverbank to the public for recreational use on its foundation day, February 15. However, the civic body has postponed the inauguration as the city mourns the loss of Pune guardian minister Ajit Pawar in a recent plane accident.
“The public opening has been postponed as citizens are still in a state of shock due to the death of Pune guardian minister Ajit Pawar,” said Dinkar Gojare, acting chief engineer at the PMC’s project department.
The recently constructed riverbank was designed to enable residents to walk, cycle, and participate in recreational activities along a 1.5 km stretch of the 44.4 km riverfront. He stated that the decision to open this part of the riverbank will be determined at a future date, and noted that work on other sections is advancing quickly as part of the riverfront development (RFD) project.
“The 1.5 km stretch was to be open to the public in the morning and evening for recreational activities from 6 to 9 am and 5 to 8 pm. The residents were to have access to this area for physical exercise as well. The PMC is going to develop facilities for vehicle parking, drinking water, public toilets and eateries in the next stage of the project,” Gojare said.
Three Phases of Pune’s Riverfront Development Project
The PMC has divided the project into phases, each covering different stretches.
Phase one covers a 3.7 km stretch from Sangamwadi to Bund Garden.
Phase two includes a 5.5 km stretch from Bund Garden to Mundhwa.
Phase three spans an 8.1 km stretch from Aundh to Balewadi.
The PMC aims to finish the 5-kilometer section from Sangamwadi to Kalyaninagar by the end of March this year. Additionally, the civic administration plans to initiate a tree-planting campaign in the developed region as part of the RFD, with the participation of newly elected corporators.
The Rs 4,727 crore Riverfront Development (RFD) project by the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) was met with substantial criticism and legal opposition from citizen groups and environmentalists. This initiative is modeled after the Sabarmati riverfront development project in Ahmedabad. In Pune, the RFD will span 44 km of riverfront, with 22 km developed on each side, also extending through Pimpri Chinchwad.
The PMC says the project will boost the river’s water capacity and provide flood protection for nearby areas. Announced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in March 2022, it faced legal challenges from environmentalists over ecological concerns. The courts directed the government to secure environmental clearance and follow expert committee guidelines.
Construction of 91 km of embankments along the riverbanks to protect low-lying areas from flooding.
Development of green embankments across 247 hectares, including landscaped slopes in urban and rural riparian zones.
Preservation of Bund Garden barrage, upgrading of a check dam and a weir to modern barrages, and construction of an additional barrage to support water sports and boating.
Creation of public amenities on 23 hectares, including 18 temples,
18 crematoriums and expansion of food courts from 5 to 11
Improved public access to the river via 249 staircases, 19 ramps &
74 refurbished ghats
Development of parks and gardens on 50 hectares for recreational purposes.
