2 weeks Ago By Aditi Shekhar
Pune: A human chain was formed by over 150 people from a consortium of 60 organisations part of river revival groups in Pune and Pimpri Chinchwad at Kokane Chowk in Pimple Saudagar at 8am on Sunday to protest against the Mula-Mutha riverfront development (RFD) project and related works across the Pune metropolitan region and Pune and Pimpri Chinchwad municipal areas. On March 9, over 200 citizens had gathered at Chafekar Chowk in a similar agitation Meanwhile, the gathered citizens held a march at a park in the vicinity. They educated the people present about the threats the RFD project poses.
Children to senior citizens chanted slogans — "Tree cutting must stop," "Clean the rivers first," and "If rivers can't be conserved, empty chairs." Protesters declared their solidarity with the Pavana, Mula and Indrayani rivers — lifeline to over 30 lakh residents — and said these must be restored to their natural state. They emphasised theirs was a battle to protect nature.
"We want the govt's attention. We are forming chains and organising walks to protect our rivers, which must be cleaned and riparian zones protected. The maximum temperature has already hit 40 degrees Celsius in March.
The situation will worsen if such projects are carried out," said Prajakta Mahajan, a volunteer from Pune River Revival. Local NGOs, environmental groups and concerned citizens highlighted the urgent need for ecological preservation over urban expansion. Protesters opposed artificial embankments and recreational infrastructure under RFD, advocating for protection of trees, wetlands and wildlife habitats.
The demonstration is part of a broader campaign for pollution-free rivers and sustainable river management. Citizens said large-scale projects like RFD could accelerate environmental degradation, threaten biodiversity and pose long-term public health risks. Many questioned the need for such development, urging authorities to prioritise waste management and pollution control.
People warned protests, including direct action at govt offices, would escalate if their demands were ignored, "RFD is a beautification, not purification project. Authorities must take robust measures for the next 20 years," said John Dsouza, one of the organisers. On Nov 12, 2024, the Pune Municipal Corporation received environment clearance for its much-opposed Mula-Mutha RFD project — which involved embanking the river, felling of over 7,539 trees, and constructing a recreational space.
Pimpri Chinchwad Municipal Corporation (PCMC) will execute the Mula stretch, for which work has already begun from Wakad bypass to Sangvi bridge — including the city's last standing sacred grove at the Ram-Mula confluence. Citizens also highlighted illegal tree-felling on the river banks. "We want the police commissioner's help to protect trees at any cost.
Also, the RFD project is progressing despite our opposition. We do not want RFD; we want a clean river," said Prashant Raul, an environmentalist..
