Brotherhoodbo: made new place w/ infobox

2026-02-16T22:48:52Z

made new place w/ infobox

New page

{{Short description|River in India}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=December 2023}}
{{Use Indian English|date=December 2023}}
{{Infobox urban development project
| name = Pune Riverfront
| image = Mula- Mutha river viewed from home balcony, Pune, India.jpg
| caption = Riverfront construction progress as of 2025
| other_names =
| location = [[Pune]], [[Maharashtra]], [[India]]
| address =
| coordinates = {{coord|18.531643|73.859776|}}
| status = Under construction
| groundbreaking = 2023
| proposed = 2000
| constructed =
| est_completion = 2026 (11 phases)
| opening = 2025
| demolished =
| destroyed =
| use = [[waterfront (area)|Waterfront]]
| architect =
| architecture_firm =
| developer = [[Pune Municipal Corporation]]
| owner =
| manager =
| cost = {{INRConvert|4727|c}}
| buildings =
| size =
| gross_leasable_area =
| parking =
| number_of_tenants =
| number_of_residents =
| number_of_workers =
| website = {{URL|https://www.pmc.gov.in/en/riverfront|puneriverfront}}
| image2 =
}}
'''Pune Riverfront''', also called the Mula-Mutha-Riverfront, is an under-construction urban [[waterfront (area)|waterfront]] project. The idea of municipal interventions in the Mula-Mutha rivers is over a hundred years old. Unlike the proposal of 1918, the present conception aims to [[River engineering|engineer the city's rivers]] and expects to achieve multiple goals.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |date=19 January 2018 |title=Hydraulics Report - Pune River Rejuvenation Project |url=https://adc-ecos.enlightcloud.com/1133pmcwebsitev2/s3fs-public/2025-03/Hydraulics-Report.pdf |access-date=18 September 2025 |website=PMC Project Activities}}</ref> It is being developed by [[Pune Municipal Corporation]] along the banks of [[Mula River (India)|Mula]], [[Mutha River|Mutha]] and [[Mula-Mutha River|Mula-Mutha]] rivers. [[Pune Municipal Corporation|The municipal authority]] (PMC) initiated the project in 2015 by seeking bids for rejuvenation of Mula-Mutha rivers and [[beautification]] of {{Convert|44.4|km|mi|abbr=on}} of riverbanks.<ref>{{Cite web |title=PMC Project Activities |url=https://www.pmc.gov.in/en/b/project-activities |url-status=deviated |website=Pune Municipal Corporation}}</ref>

A degree of ambiguity between ''riverfront development'' and r''iver rejuvenation'' projects has persisted, even within official nomenclature. This interchangeability is perceived as an intentional cosmetic make-up<ref>{{Cite web |date=17 September 2014 |title=Riverfront Development in India: Cosmetic make up on deep wounds |url=https://sandrp.in/2014/09/17/riverfront-development-in-india-cosmetic-make-up-on-deep-wounds/ |access-date=18 September 2025 |website=South Asia Network on Dams, Rivers and People}}</ref> [[greenwashing]] encroachment upon rivers.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Pradhan |first=Amruta |date=28 August 2019 |title=Pune Riverfront Development Project: Encroachment in the name of Rejuvenation? |url=https://sandrp.in/2019/08/28/pune-riverfront-development-project-encroachment-in-the-name-of-rejuvenation/ |access-date=19 September 2025 |website=South Asia Network on Dams, Rivers and People}}</ref> For clarity, these are two projects:<ref>{{Cite news |last=Khairnar |first=Abhay |date=25 February 2022 |title=PMC to spend over Rs5,500 crore on Mula-Mutha river |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/cities/pune-news/pmc-to-spend-over-rs5-500-crore-on-mula-mutha-river-101645809558130.html |access-date=18 September 2025 |work=Hindustan Times}}</ref> the rejuvenation project, estimated at {{INRConvert|1500|c|year=2025}}, for construction of [[sewage treatment plants]] (STPs) and management of municipal [[sewage]] under aid from [[Japan International Cooperation Agency]] ([[Japan International Cooperation Agency|JICA]]); and the Mula-Mutha Riverfront, a {{INRConvert|4727|c|year=2025}}<ref>{{Cite news |last=Gadkari |first=Siddharth |date=30 October 2021 |title=PMC floats tender for priority stretch of Mula-Mutha riverfront project |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/cities/pune-news/pmc-floats-tender-for-priority-stretch-of-mula-mutha-riverfront-project-101635617642328.html |work=Hindustan Times}}</ref> project, for building concrete embankments. Despite the agreed wisdom on allowing [[Room for the River|room for the rivers]], hectares of natural flood plains are expected to be ''freed up'' for a range of land use purposes to fund the project. Work on the initial phase began in 2022.

== History ==
[[File:Pune_Poona_1911_map.jpg|thumb|Poona of 1911]]

=== Ghats ===
It is pertinent to look at modern riverside structures from the lens of history. Traditionally, people's interaction with rivers has been through the various ''[[ghat]]s,'' which are steps built usually in stone, leading down to the waterline. The steps afforded people easy access to the rivers and carry out their daily chores. Numerous such ghats still exist and have remained in use over time. Ghats are also the places where people congregate for immersion, or ''visarjan'', of idols after ten days of [[Ganesh Chaturthi|''Ganesh'' festival]]. Ghats are also often aesthetically designed built-structures and have remained cultural focal points over centuries. Ghorpade Ghat,<ref>{{Cite web |last=Gadre |first=Vivek |date=18 January 2023 |title=Ghorpade Ghat |url=https://www.atlasobscura.com/places/ghorpade-ghat |website=Atlas Obscura}}</ref> Sangam Ghat, Omkareshwar Ghat, and the Moraya Gosavi Ghat in Pimpri are some of the prominent ghats.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Shete |first=Akshay |title=Mutha River and Ghats of Pune |url=https://www.livingwatersmuseum.org/mutha-river-and-ghats-of-pune}}</ref> There are many live perennial springs along Pune's riverbanks,<ref>{{Cite web |last=Wangchuk |first=Ringchen Norbu |date=24 April 2018 |title=Pune Locality Comes Together to Revive & Protect Its Ancient Natural Springs! |url=https://thebetterindia.com/139035/pune-locality-bavdhan-natural-springs/ |website=24 September 2025}}</ref> as well as much plant and animal biodiversity.<ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Kalamkar |first1=Uma |last2=Kulkarni |first2=Dilip K. |last3=Patwardhan |first3=Ankur |date=2023 |title=An Exploration of Plant Diversity Along the Mutha River Banks in Pune, Maharashtra, India |journal=Journal of Ecological Society |language=en |volume=34 |issue=1 |doi=10.54081/JES.001/04 |doi-access=free |issn=2278-0823}}</ref> Some ghats have designated spaces to serve as Hindu cremation grounds.
[[File:Mutha river in Pune at Onkareshwar 001.jpg|alt=Mutha river at Onkareshwar, 1986|thumb|'''Mutha river at Onkareshwar, 1986''']]

=== People's connect with rivers ===
[[File:Pune-City.jpg|alt=Pune expanding upwards|thumb|A social shift to apartment block housing disconnects people from rivers]]
Developments of the past decades, especially the advent of piped water and sewage lines as direct connections into households, gradually distanced people away from the rivers. More piped water also meant less water flowing in the rivers, as more water is hoarded behind dam walls. A social shift to block apartment housing has further caused increasing disconnect of people with the rivers.

=== Interventions on riverbanks ===
The present day riverfront project began to be discussed in the 2000s, sometime after the germ of [[Sabarmati Riverfront]] took root in 1997. But the idea of riverfront development was first considered by the city's municipality in 1918 under the [[British Raj|British administration]]. According to the notes by [[Dr Ramchandra Krishnaswami Naidu|Dr R. K. Naidu]], the then chairman of [[Poona Municipal Council]], and after whom the present day [[Naidu Hospital]]<ref>{{Cite news |last=Khairnar |first=Abhay |date=10 April 2021 |title=Dr RK Naidu's legacy lives on at Naidu Hospital |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/cities/pune-news/dr-rk-naidu-s-legacy-lives-on-at-naidu-hospital-101618054103789.html |access-date=18 September 2025 |work=Hindustan Times}}</ref> is named, the plan conceived a {{Convert|50|ft|m|abbr=on}} channel, walkways, and lawns along the riverbank from ''Lakadi'' ''Pul'' (Sambhaji Bridge) to the confluence at Mula-Mutha ''Sangam''.

The proposed structure was intended to improve the flow in the river and create public space. It was supposed to be completed in two to three years at a cost of {{Indian rupee|100000|year=1932}}. The [[British Raj|British regime]] of the day was not easily convinced and took 14 years to grant permission for a pilot project in 1932 and a full approval by 1933. The project entailed {{Convert|50|ft|m}} [[Channelization (river)|channelisation]] to contain the river throughout the year and create long pathways and recreational public spaces on the sides. The city was facing the challenge of [[malaria]] and [[infectious diseases]] during the time. The work of laying sewage and drainage lines was undertaken by the civic authority in the 1920s, and preceded the riverfront development work, which eventually was taken up in 1934.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Khairnar |first=Abhay |date=30 April 2022 |title=Pune's riverfront project was first proposed in 1918 |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/cities/pune-news/punes-riverfront-project-was-first-proposed-in-1918-101651341918397.html |access-date=18 September 2025 |work=Hindustan Times}}</ref> This effort too was later halted and left the project's promises undelivered through the twentieth century.

One hundred years apart, experts, scientists and the civil society, especially in Indian cities, have steadily sought prioritising ecological restoration and pollution abatement over cosmetic interventions.<ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Varma |first1=Varun |last2=Ratnam |first2=Jayashree |last3=Viswanathan |first3=Vinatha |last4=Osuri |first4=Anand M. |last5=Biesmeijer |first5=Jacobus C. |last6=Madhusudan |first6=M. D. |last7=Sankaran |first7=Mahesh |last8=Krishnadas |first8=Meghna |last9=Barua |first9=Deepak |last10=Budruk |first10=Megha |last11=Isvaran |first11=Kavita |last12=Jayapal |first12=Rajah |last13=Joshi |first13=Jahnavi |last14=Karanth |first14=Krithi K. |last15=Krishnaswamy |first15=Jagdish |date=2015-07-01 |title=Perceptions of priority issues in the conservation of biodiversity and ecosystems in India |url=https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0006320715001858 |journal=Biological Conservation |volume=187 |pages=201–211 |doi=10.1016/j.biocon.2015.04.031 |bibcode=2015BCons.187..201V |issn=0006-3207|url-access=subscription }}</ref>

== Geography ==
[[File:Poonah - British Library X123(13).jpg|alt=Saucer-shaped topography|thumb|Saucer-shaped topography of Pune]]

=== Topography ===
[[Pune]] is situated on the eastern slopes of [[Sahyadri]], which is characteristically the [[rain shadow]] region of the [[Western Ghats]]. Pune has a roughly saucer-shaped topography,<ref name=":2">{{Cite web |last=Palande-Datar |first=Sayali K |date=30 December 2020 |title=Sutradhara's tales: Geography begets history, and a river runs through it |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/pune-news/sutradhara-s-tales-geography-begets-history-and-a-river-runs-through-it/story-lwEUnG5xDAFzSQl1bBfEMJ.html |access-date=21 September 2025 |website=Hindustan Times}}</ref> with hills on all sides and large rivers crossing the city.

Five rivers viz., [[Mutha River|Mutha]], [[Mula River (India)|Mula]], [[Pavana River|Pawana]], [[Ramnadi]] and [[Indrayani River|Indrayani]] flow across urban Pune. Higher order streams like Nagjhari, [[Ambil Odha]],<ref>{{Cite web |date=December 2021 |title=Ambil Odha |url=https://map.sahapedia.org/article/Ambil-Odha/6202 |access-date=24 September 2025 |website=Sahapedia}}</ref> Bhairoba Nala, and tributaries like Devnadi also add their flows to the main rivers. [[Pune district]], with 39 dams, is deemed to have among the highest dam densities in India. [[Khadakwasla Dam|Khadakwasla]], [[Varasgaon Dam|Varasgaon]], [[Panshet Dam|Panshet]], [[Temghar Dam|Temghar]] and [[Mulshi Dam|Mulshi]] are the major dams upstream of Pune's rivers. Of these, the Mulshi dam mostly drains on the western slopes of Sahyadri into the [[Kundalika River|Kundalika]] river,<ref>{{Cite web |date=24 August 2021 |title=Kundalika |url=https://indiawris.gov.in/wiki/doku.php?id=kundalika |access-date=21 September 2025 |website=WRIS}}</ref> but can also release waters into the Mula river. The other dams are a cascade of dams emptying finally into Khadakwasla, which is less than {{Convert|20|km|mi|abbr=on}} from the heart of Pune.<ref>{{Cite web |date=24 September 2025 |title=Khadakwasala Dam |url=https://pune.gov.in/en/tourist-place/khadakwasala-dam/ |website=Government Of Maharashtra}}</ref> The discharge from Kasarsai dam, located at {{Convert|12|km|mi|abbr=on}} from the [[Hinjawadi]], passes across urban Pimpri-Chinchwad. As such, the city is blessed rich with surface waters.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Urban Waters Pune |url=https://urbanwaters.in/cities/pune/ |access-date=21 September 2025 |website=Urbanwaters.in}}</ref>

=== Rainfall ===
The Govt of Maharashtra states the average annual rainfall of Pune as {{Convert|650-700|mm|in|abbr=on}}. [[IISER Pune|IISER]]-Pune researchers report an average June–October rainfall at about {{Convert|850|mm|in|abbr=on}} for the 42 years between 1978 and 2020. Some sources note the average annual total as {{Convert|1036|mm|in|abbr=on}},<ref>{{Cite web |title=Pune Rainfall & Precipitation: Monthly Averages and Year-Round Insights |url=https://weather-and-climate.com/average-monthly-precipitation-Rainfall,pune,India |access-date=21 September 2025 |website=Weather-and-Climate.com}}</ref> while some others at {{Convert|722|mm|in|abbr=on}}.<ref name=":2" />

The [[hydrological]] realities of Pune can be better appreciated only when certain factors beyond mere rainfall are considered. This includes the type and number of rivers, upstream dams and the distance of dams from the city. Unlike Pune city, the large cumulative catchment lies mostly in a heavy rainfall zone of the Western Ghats. The catchment of Khadakwasla dam records over {{Convert|1000|mm|in|abbr=on}} of rainfall, Varasgao and Panshet about {{Convert|2,500|mm|in|abbr=on}}, and Temghar over {{Convert|4,000|mm|in|abbr=on}} of annual rainfall. The entire cumulative discharge must pass the urban stretches and, especially during compelling rainfall events, reaches the city very quickly when released. The Khadakwasla dam lies in a heavy precipitation zone and surrounded by mountains, is extensively silted. This implies compromised holding capacity of the reservoir,<ref>{{Cite news |last=Mistry |first=Salonee |date=12 April 2024 |title=Desilting Khadakwasla To Raise Water Holding Capacity |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/pune/desilting-khadakwasla-to-raise-water-holding-capacity/articleshow/109239758.cms |work=The Times Of India}}</ref> and consequently, increased probability of flash floods downstream.<ref>{{Cite book |last1=Batuca |first1=Dan G. |url=https://www.taylorfrancis.com/books/9781003210993 |title=Silting and Desilting of Reservoirs |last2=Jordaan |first2=Jan M. |date=2021-06-17 |publisher=CRC Press |isbn=978-1-003-21099-3 |edition=1 |location=London |language=en |doi=10.1201/9781003210993 }}</ref>

=== Climate change ===
Beyond the historical rainfall data, the Maharashtra State Adaptation Action Plan on Climate Change (MSAAPC),<ref>T E R I. 2014 Assessing Climate Change Vulnerability and Adaptation Strategies for Maharashtra: Maharashtra State Adaptation Action Plan on Climate Change (MSAAPC) New Delhi: The Energy and Resources Institute. 302 pp. [Project Report No. 2010GW01]</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2014 |title=Assessing Climate Change Vulnerability and Adaptation Strategies for Maharashtra: Maharashtra State Adaptation Action Plan on Climate Change (MSAAPC) |url=https://moef.gov.in/uploads/2017/09/Maharashtra-Climate-Change-Final-Report.pdf |access-date=21 September 2025 |website=moef.gov.in}}</ref> prepared by [[The Energy and Resources Institute]] (TERI) in 2014, projects significant increases in monsoon rainfall across the state, with specific projections for the Pune division. The plan indicates that the Pune division is expected to experience a rise in rainfall, with projections showing an increase of 17.5% to 30% by the 2030s. Rainfall is estimated to further increase to 22.5% to 32.5% percent by the 2050s. Actual rainfall patterns of the years leading up to the 2025 season appear alarmingly consistent with the projection.

=== Urban landscape ===
Heavily paved cities, with scarce open grounds to allow infiltration of rainwater, cause very heavy [[surface runoff]]s up to 90% or more. The resulting pluvial flows further add to the already heavy fluvial flows from release of dam waters. This phenomenon is increasingly identified as the main cause behind a spate of recent urban flash floods all over the world. Encroachment in floodplains is another major factor that offsets the flood carrying capacity of rivers. In the case of Pune, apart from the many bridges that affect the flow of flood waters,<ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Wang |first1=Wen |last2=Zhou |first2=Kaibo |date=5 June 2019 |title=Effects of Bridge Piers on Flood Hazards: A Case Study on the Jialing River in China |journal=Water |volume=11 |issue=6 |article-number=10.3390/w11061181 |doi=10.3390/w11061181 |bibcode=2019Water..11.1181W |doi-access=free }}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Weidt |first1=Fabian |last2=Bell |first2=Rainer |last3=Schrott |first3=Lothar |last4=Brenning |first4=Alexander |last5=Dietze |first5=Michael |last6=Burghardt |first6=Lisa |last7=Groeßer |first7=Joshua |date=2025-06-02 |title=Spatial patterns and bridge collapse interactions of erosional processes due to the 2021 Ahr valley flood |journal=Environmental Sciences Europe |volume=37 |issue=1 |page=82 |doi=10.1186/s12302-025-01130-9 |bibcode=2025ESEur..37...82W |doi-access=free |issn=2190-4715}}</ref> the Mutha river bed is contentiously overlaid with 59 [[Pune Metro]] rail piers.<ref>{{Cite news |date=9 January 2018 |title=59 Pillars For Metro ROute To Come Up Along Mutha River |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/pune/59-pillars-for-metro-route-to-come-up-along-mutha-river/articleshow/62420864.cms}}</ref>

== Objectives of the project ==
[[File:Sangam_Bridge_on_Mutha_River_as_seen_from_Ahilyadevi_Holkar_Ghat_in_Pune.jpg|thumb|Sangam Bridge on [[Mutha River]]]]
The Mula-Mutha Riverfront project derives itself from the issues pertaining to the rivers in Pune city and their connect with the citizens. These observations are reported to be identified via formal surveys and interviews conducted for the purpose. Untreated sewage; solid waste & debris dumping; encroachment; flooding; lack of access and poorly conceived development about the rivers are cited. The objectives of the project are conceived "in order to cope up with these current issues and create a meaningful public realm along the river" and are stated thus in the [[Hydraulics]] and [[Hydrology]] Report on PMC website:<ref name=":0" />

i. Reduce the risk of flooding

ii. Retain and replenish water

iii. Clean the river and make it pollution free

iv. Create a continuous public realm along the river

v. Connect and enhance surrounding heritage places and buildings

vi. Integrate slums

vii. Ensure more responsive and context specific development

viii. Improve accessibility and connectivity

The overall project is made up of numerous components viz., flood protection by building embankments; reducing impact of obstructions on water flow; abatement of pollution; making the river accessible to the public; making the river an asset of the city; creation of a green belt development; ensuring proper connectivity across the river; construction of barrages for water retention; provision of public amenities.<ref name=":1">{{Cite news |last=Ajay |first=Jadhav |date=5 February 2025 |title=Overcoming legal hurdles, Pune's Riverfront Development project to accelerate despite public outcry |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/cities/pune/legal-hurdles-pune-riverfront-project-public-outcry-9818873/ |access-date=19 September 2025 |work=The Indian Express}}</ref>

== Progress of the project ==
The project spanning {{Convert|44.4|km|mi|abbr=on}} is proposed to be executed in 11 phases covering different contiguous stretches of the rivers. The work is underway on multiple stretches. In February 2025, the [[Indian Defence Estates Service|Defence Estate Services]] transferred 17 acres of land under the [[Pune Cantonment Board|Cantonment Board]] near Sangamwadi crematorium and Sadalbaba Dargah, facilitating the remaining work over the concerned stretch.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Post |first=Urban |date=12 March 2025 |title=Pune's Riverfront Project to Open in June |url=https://urbanacres.in/punes-riverfront-project-to-open-in-june/ |work=Urban Acres}}</ref>
[[File:Levelling_of_the_Mula_Mutha_river_bank_near_Naikbet,_Sangamwadi_bridge,_Pune.jpg|thumb|Levelling of the Mula Mutha river bank near Naikbet, Sangamwadi bridge, Pune]]
* Phase 1, the {{Convert|3.7|km|mi|abbr=on}} Sangamwadi to Bund Garden stretch: work is reported to be 80% to 85% complete as of March 2025. The 800 metres [[Bund Garden, Pune|Bund Garden]] to Mundhwa stretch towards Koregaon Park, has been developed with walkways and landscaping. A {{Convert|2|km|mi|abbr=on}} stretch between Sangamwadi and [[Bund Garden, Pune|Bund Garden]] (Stretch 9) was opened in June 2025 while awaiting official inauguration. The work is ongoing towards Koregaon Park on the opposite bank.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Khairnar |first=Abhay |date=4 June 2025 |title=Amid criticism, stretch of Pune riverfront project wins praise from locals |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/cities/pune-news/amid-criticism-stretch-of-pune-riverfront-project-wins-praise-from-locals-101748981204995.html |access-date=19 September 2025 |work=Hindustan Times}}</ref>
* Phase 2, the {{Convert|5.3|km|mi|abbr=on}} Bund Garden to Mundhwa: Work on this stretch is progressing at a slower pace, at less than 33% completion as of March 2025. The normally tedious land acquisition, and construction timelines, are being managed through a so-called [[War Room]]<ref>{{Cite news |last=Phadke |first=Manasi |date=20 December 2017 |title=Inside Devendra Fadnavis' war room, where a new Maharashtra is emerging |url=https://theprint.in/report/how-cms-war-room-pushed-key-infra-projects-in-maharashtra/23512/ |access-date=19 September 2025 |work=The Print}}</ref> set up under the Maharashtra [[Chief Minister of Maharashtra|Chief Minister]]'s office.<ref name=":1" /> O''n one hand, the concept of War Room has been praised for expediting land acquisitions for public infrastructure projects. On the other hand, it is also criticised as being too aggressive, especially in fast-pacing environment clearances like it were a war. It has even morphed its name by a subsequent government.''<ref>{{Cite news |last=Deshpande |first=Tanvi |date=11 January 2020 |title=Maharashtra secretariat changes War Room to Mission Room |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/mumbai/maharashtra-secretariat-changes-war-room-to-mission-room/article30610622.ece |access-date=19 September 2025 |work=The Hindu}}</ref>
* Other Phases: Work on the [[Wakad]] to [[Sangvi, Pune|Sangvi]] Bridge stretch in [[Pimpri-Chinchwad]] has commenced, with tenders worth ₹297 crore issued. The final completion date for the entire project is listed as 2025, though specific dates for phases beyond the first are not available.
* The project has faced legal challenges posed by concerned citizens' groups. Through the five years since the foundation stone was laid in 2017, the municipal administration has waded through much public opposition. Actual [[Groundbreaking|ground-breaking]] of the project happened only in 2022. The implementation is supported and monitored by the Chief Minister's War Room.<ref name=":1" /><ref>{{Cite news |last=Karale |first=Neelam |date=20 September 2024 |title=NGT Dismisses Petition, Mula-Mutha Riverfront Development Project Gains Momentum |url=https://www.thebridgechronicle.com/news/ngt-dismisses-petition-mula-mutha-riverfront-development-project-gains-momentum |access-date=20 September 2025 |work=The Bridge Chronicle}}</ref>

== Citizen participation ==
The riverfront project has been conceived as a project for public good and holds citizens at its centre. Prior surveys conducted by the project consultants observed that citizens are disconnected from the rivers in their neighbourhoods. In reality, the average ''Punekar'' (Pune citizen) does yearn for a better access to, but is far more possessive of the rivers in their natural form.

When left out of the planning process, individuals and civic groups of Pune and Pimpri-Chinchwad organised numerous public events; online and offline meetings; protests;<ref>{{Cite news |last=Nath |first=Dipanita |date=27 April 2025 |title=Short march with a loud message: Citizens protest against Riverfront Development project in Pimpri-Chinchwad |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/cities/pune/protest-against-riverfront-development-project-in-pimpri-chinchwad-9968548/ |access-date=20 September 2025 |work=The India Express}}</ref> and demonstrations;<ref>{{Cite news |last=Shekar |first=Aditi |date=24 March 2025 |title=Citizens form human chain to protest riverfront devpt project in Pune Pimpri-Chinchwad |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/pune/citizens-form-human-chain-to-protest-riverfront-devpt-project-in-pune-pimpri-chinchwad/articleshow/119388620.cms |access-date=20 September 2025 |work=The Time of India}}</ref> demanding clarifications, contesting the economic, social and ecological propriety of the Riverfront Development (RFD) project, and calling for its repeal. More than 2500 people marched on the streets and carried out a [[Chipko movement|chipko]] style (tree-hugging) protest in February 2025 against large-scale tree-felling.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Shekar |first=Aditi |date=10 February 2024 |title=Massive 'Chipko' March Unites People Against Riverfront Development Projects |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/pune/massive-chipko-march-unites-residents-against-riverfront-development-projects/articleshow/118096680.cms |work=The Times of India}}</ref>

A group of citizens undertook a [[hunger strike]] as part of a sustained protest campaign against the riverfront project, which culminated in a massive protest march named "''Nadi Sathi Nadi Kathi''," (for-the-river, along-the-riverbank) held on April 27, 2025.<ref>{{Cite news |last1=More |first1=Manoj Dattatrye |last2=Nath |first2=Dipanita |date=16 May 2025 |title='This is just a beginning': As PCMC stays RFD work in Pimple Nilakh, green groups galvanised to continue protests |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/cities/pune/this-is-just-a-beginning-as-pcmc-stays-rfd-work-in-pimple-nilakh-green-groups-galvanised-to-continue-protests-10011267/ |access-date=20 September 2025 |work=The Indian Express}}</ref>

[[Ecologists]], [[biologist]]s, river scientists, [[Environmental Conservation|environmental conservation]] experts and citizen contributors offered constructive suggestions,<ref>{{Cite web |last=Kurtkoti |first=Vinaya |date=27 May 2022 |title=Pune's proposed river rejuvenation project does not consider ecology, hydrogeology, and climate change, say experts |url=https://india.mongabay.com/2022/05/punes-proposed-river-rejuvenation-project-does-not-consider-ecology-hydrogeology-and-climate-change-say-experts/ |access-date=20 September 2025 |website=Mongabay India}}</ref> some as formal publications:

* [https://www.theecologicalsociety.org/ Ecological Society], a non-governmental ecological research trust, authored an elaborate 114 page alternative ''[[ecological restoration]] plan''<ref>{{Cite web |last1=Gole |first1=Dr Swati |last2=Gindi |first2=Revati |last3=Hingmire |first3=Dhruvang |title=An Alternative Plan from the Ecological Perspective |url=https://puneriverrevival.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Ecological-Society-river-rejuvination-plan.pdf |website=Pune River Revival}}</ref> for Pune's rivers. The study and the report was commissioned by the [[Centre for Environmental Education India|Centre for Environmental Education]] (CEE).
* [https://puneriverrevival.com/ Pune River Revival], a public campaign for free-flowing clean rivers, offered a model<ref>{{Cite web |title=Rejuvenating a Riverbank in an Urban Context |url=https://puneriverrevival.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Ecological-Riverfront-Model_-Mula-River-Aundh.pdf |website=Pune River Revival}}</ref> titled ''Rejuvenating a Riverbank in an Urban Context''.
* [https://www.jeevitnadi.org/ Jeevitnadi] - Living River Foundation and [https://www.oikos.in/ Oikos] - ''for ecological services'', together prepared a model<ref>{{Cite web |title=Beyond Beautification - A River Revival Strategy - An Ecological Approach |url=https://puneriverrevival.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/River-revival-strategy-Mutha-stretch-JN-oikos.pdf |access-date=20 September 2025 |website=Pune River Revival}}</ref> titled ''Beyond Beautification - River Revival Strategy, An Ecological Approach''.

== Gallery ==
<gallery>
File:Mutha River Pune.jpg|Mutha River
File:Aundh ghat, Pune.jpg|Aundh Ghat on Mula River
File:Mula River as seen from Shinde Bridge, Aundh, Pune.jpg|Mula River, view from Shinde Bridge
File:Mutha river bank area and central mall road bridge, Kothrud.jpg|Mutha river bank
File:Near Nanaso Peshve Samadhi, Mutha River in August 2019 Flood, Pune.jpg|Nanasaheb Peshwe Samadhi under Mutha flood waters in August 2019
File:View of Sambhaji Bridge and Nanasaheb Peshwe Samadhi on Mutha River bank from Yashwantrao Chavan Bridge in Pune.jpg|Floodplains of Mutha; Sambhaji Bridge and Deccan Gymkhana Metro Station in the background
File:Mutha River in August 2019 Flood at Nanaso Peshve Samadhi, Pune.jpg|Mutha River floods of August 2019
File:Confluence of Ambil Odha and Mutha River as seen from the nearby riverbank in Pune.jpg|Ambil Odha meets river Mutha
</gallery>

==See also==
* [[Riverfront]]
* ''[[Ghat]]s''
* [[Environmental impact assessment|Environment Impact Assessment]]
* [[River ecosystem|River Ecology]]
* [[Environmentalism]]

==References==
{{reflist}}

[[Category:Waterfronts in India]]
[[Category:Waterfronts]]
[[Category:Buildings and structures in Pune]]
[[Category:Pune Municipal Corporation]]
[[Category:Urban planning]]

Pune Riverfront - Revision history

Brotherhoodbo: made new place w/ infobox