E-Paper
Pune’s riverfront development project still on paper
Pune municipal corporation has failed to kick-start the project as they are awaiting an approval from the central government
The civic administration and the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), have failed to kick-start the riverfront development project, despite getting an approval in 2018.
The project that proposed beautification and development of Mula and Mutha rivers in the city was approved by the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) standing committee in February 2018. The state government also approved the project in 2018. However, the PMC, is still awaiting the approval of the central government.
Also, according to civic administrative officials, the PMC was expected to form a special purpose vehicle (SPV) for the execution of the project. However, the special purpose vehicle has not been formed yet.
Mangesh Dighe, PMC environment officer, said, “The proposal has been submitted to the central government. The PMC has also requested the central government for financial assistance. The central government had asked for some environment-related data which has already been submitted by the PMC. We are awaiting their approval.”
The total cost of the project is Rs2,619 crore. The, then, PMC municipal commissioner Kunal Kumar, had taken keen interest in the project and had convinced the BJP to carry out the mega project. However, he was transferred on March 7, 2018 on deputation to the central government as a joint secretary, ministry of housing and urban affairs. After Kumar’s transfer, the other officials are not taking keen interest in the project delaying it further.
Ahmedabad-based HPC Design, Planning and Management Pvt Ltd and city-based centre for development studies and activities, who are consultants for the project, have prepared a detailed project report of the ambitious river development and beautification project. The project will be similar to that of the Sabarmati riverfront in Ahmedabad.
According to civic administrative officials, since the rivers in Pune are already channelised, the construction of the riverfront will be easier as compared to Ahmedabad. The riverfront will also be environment friendly.
The project envisages keeping the river clean and making it pollution-free, reducing risk of flooding, creating a continuous public space along the river, retaining water, improving city’s access to the riverfront and integrate heritage structures, current activities, parks and gardens.
