Pune: The final stage of Pune’s ambitious Mula-Mutha River Pollution Abatement Project faces significant disruption due to a funding clearance delay by the Maharashtra state government. Although the central government approved ₹171 crore on March 27, the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) remains unable to utilise these funds as the state has yet to issue the necessary clearance. The holdup could also derail the broader Riverfront Development (RFD) initiative, which hinges on the effective treatment of river water.
This pollution control programme is being carried out under the National River Conservation Plan (NRCP), with financial and technical support from the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA). Valued at ₹990 crore, the project aims to drastically improve the water quality of the Mula-Mutha River. At present, 85% of the work has already been completed, and the installation of advanced sewage treatment equipment is in progress.
Despite receiving an extended project timeline from JICA until September 2026, PMC hopes to wrap up the initiative by March 2026. However, officials warn that this target will be impossible to meet if funding issues persist.
The financial model for the initiative involves 85% funding from the central government (₹841.72 crore) and a 15% contribution from the municipal corporation (₹148.54 crore). PMC has already utilised ₹610 crore, with ₹200 crore released from the central allocation for FY 2024–25. The remaining ₹171 crore, although approved, cannot be accessed until the state gives formal clearance—a procedural delay that is hampering project momentum.
A senior PMC official explained, “We are prepared to meet the completion deadline. But the stalled release of funds has brought progress to a standstill. Without state authorisation, the central funding is practically out of reach, which could lead to cost overruns and unnecessary delays.”
The project involves constructing ten new Sewage Treatment Plants (STPs) across Pune in areas such as Baner, Dhanori, Naidu Hospital, Bhairobanala, Kharadi, Hadapsar, Mundhwa, Warje, Wadgaon, and Narveer Tanajiwadi. These STPs are expected to treat 100% of Pune’s wastewater before it enters the Mula-Mutha River. However, one proposed plant, planned for the Botanical Garden premises, is still awaiting land allocation, delaying full project execution.
Contractors responsible for machinery installation have raised concerns due to delayed payments, further complicating the project’s timeline. If unresolved, this bottleneck could bring operations to a halt at a point when completion is within reach.
The environmental benefits of the project are immense. Treating all of Pune’s sewage before it is discharged into the river will significantly curb pollution levels. Furthermore, the high-grade treated water could be reused in agriculture, easing the load on the Khadakwasla Dam and ensuring more availability for city residents, especially during dry months.
This delay now puts at risk not only environmental restoration efforts but also Pune’s long-term water sustainability goals. Unless swift action is taken by the state government, the consequences could ripple far beyond missed deadlines.
