Pune’s Mula-Mutha river clean-up finally gathers pace

The much-delayed, Japan International Co-operation Agency-backed project for rejuvenation of the Mula-Mutha River in Pune is finally picking up as work for three sewage treatment plants (STPs) has started, while work on three more STPs will start in the next week. Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) officials said they have successfully acquired all the land parcels for 11 STPs under the JICA project except in the Kharadi and Baner areas. The forest department has given approval for handing over the Kharadi land, while part of the land for the Baner project is yet to be acquired. Jagdish Khanore, JICA project in charge at the from PMC, said, “Though the project was delayed, it has picked up pace. Work on three more STPs will begin next week. Under the JICA project, PMC is setting up 11 STPs and a 55-km truck line to collect the sewage from various areas.” The PMC has started the work at Dhanori, Bhairobla Nala and Naidu Hospital area. Work on STPs at Wadgaon, Warje and Fish hatchery at Hadapsar will soon commence. The aim of the project is to keep the Mula-Mutha clean. As the PMC is unable to treat the sewage generated in the city properly, most of the sewage directly mixes with the river water. By constructing new STPs, PMC plans to collect 100% sewage and only release treated water in the river. See also: Aurangabad’s STP water to be made cleaner for industryRs 36 bn to be spent in Kerala for 2nd phase of AMRUT project