Pune: A significant step towards the rejuvenation of the polluted Mula-Mutha River has been taken with the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) securing approval for a sewage treatment plant (STP) at the College of Agriculture’s botanical garden.
The project will be he part of a Larger Initiative –
This project, funded by the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), is a key component of the broader Mula-Mutha River Cleaning Project. The primary aim is to purify the river’s heavily polluted waters, which flow through the heart of Pune city.
Initially, the project faced hurdles due to the botanical garden’s designation as a biodiversity heritage site. The Maharashtra State Biodiversity Board had imposed a reservation on the land. However, persistent efforts by the PMC, coupled with a No-Objection Certificate (NOC) from the Mahatma Phule Agricultural University, have paved the way for the plant’s construction.
The botanical garden STP is one of 11 STPs being constructed along the river as part of the JICA-funded project. Once operational, it will have the capacity to treat 350 million liters of sewage per day, significantly improving the river’s water quality.
Project Timeline and Cost –
The groundbreaking ceremony for the project took place in March 2022, and completion is anticipated by 2025. The total cost of the entire Mula-Mutha River Cleaning Project is estimated at Rs. 1,173 crore, with an additional Rs. 300.21 crore allocated for maintenance and repairs over the next 15 years.
With the approval of this crucial STP, the PMC is moving closer to its goal of purifying the Mula-Mutha River and restoring its ecological balance. This project signifies a major stride towards a cleaner and greener Pune.
