Pune: 80 Corporate Volunteers Join River Cleanup Drive at Bhide Bridge, Over 200 kg Waste Removed
Pune, 1st December 2025: A major cleanup effort along the Mutha riverbank near Bhide Bridge on Sunday has resulted in the removal of more than 200 kilograms of waste, shining a light on the growing pollution concerns along Pune’s waterways. The initiative was led by Ocean Ally Foundation, founded by environmentalist Karn Ragade, and saw strong participation from corporate volunteers.
Around 80 employees from Black & Veatch Pune took part in the drive, joined by a group of children who were encouraged to experience hands-on learning about environmental protection. In total, the team filled nearly 50 large bags of debris collected from the riverbed and surrounding area.
The discarded material included plastic bottles, caps, cloth waste, syringes, tobacco wrappers, condoms and other hazardous trash, highlighting the environmental and public health risks posed by unchecked dumping along the river.
“We are trying to demonstrate what community involvement and corporate participation can achieve when we act together,” said Karn Ragade, CEO and Founder of Ocean Ally Foundation. “This was not just a cleanup — it was a message that restoring our rivers requires consistent local action and shared responsibility.”
The Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) supported the initiative through its Vishrambaug Wada ward office. PMC provided protective gloves and arranged a pickup truck to ensure swift disposal of the collected waste. Organizers thanked PMC official Atiq Sayyed for coordinating the civic support needed for a smooth cleanup operation.
Volunteers and organizers stressed that while such cleanups make a visible difference, the issue requires long-term enforcement and community awareness.
“This drive shows what is possible in a few hours,” said one volunteer from Black & Veatch. “But unless littering habits change and waste management is strengthened, the river will continue to suffer.”
The foundation said more such cleanups are planned in the coming months and called on Pune residents, institutions and businesses to join efforts to revive the city’s riverfronts.
