Pune: PCMC Finally Gets Green Light for ₹1,440 Crore Pavana River Rejuvenation Project After 6-Year Delay
Pune News, July 09, 2025: The Pimpri Chinchwad Municipal Corporation (PCMC) has secured the long-awaited environmental clearance for its ambitious ₹1,440 crore Pavana river rejuvenation project, ending a six-year wait marked by repeated revisions and delays.
Project Approval After Multiple Hurdles
The State Environment Impact Assessment Authority (SEIAA) had previously directed PCMC to revise its proposal multiple times before granting final approval. The proposal, initially submitted in December 2019, was approved by the State Expert Appraisal Committee (SEAC-3) in August 2023 before being forwarded to SEIAA for the final nod.
Sanjay Kulkarni, PCMC’s city engineer and environment department head, confirmed the clearance and stated that the civic body will proceed with tendering only after securing funds from central and state governments. PCMC has already sought financial assistance from the National River Conservation Directorate (NRCD) for rejuvenation projects across all three rivers in its limits—Pavana, Mula, and Indrayani.
Key Features of the Pavana River Rejuvenation Project
The project aims to address pollution control, flood mitigation, and riverfront beautification, drawing parallels with Pune’s ongoing Mula-Mutha riverfront development. Key objectives include:
- Riverbank protection and erosion prevention
- Enhancing biodiversity
- Creating nesting habitats for birds
- Promoting aquatic life in the river and nearby reservoirs
Spanning 24.4 km within PCMC’s jurisdiction, the project’s detailed report (DPR) was prepared after expert consultations, including hydrology and hydraulic studies conducted by the Central Water and Power Research Station (CWPRS).
Environmental Concerns and Ongoing Opposition
Despite the clearance, the project faces resistance from environmental activists and residents. The Pune-PCMC River Revival group has organized multiple protests, citing violations during ongoing work on the Mula River near Sangvi. Similar concerns were raised during the Indrayani river rejuvenation project, for which PCMC has already completed tendering.
With the Pavana project now approved, PCMC is set to move forward, but public scrutiny and environmental safeguards will remain key challenges.
