Pune: Citizens Form Human Chain in Pimple Saudagar, Raise Awareness Among Morning Walkers to Oppose Riverfront Development

Pimple Saudagar, 23rd March 2025: In a powerful display of environmental activism, over 100 citizens gathered along the Linear Garden at Kokane Chowk in Pimple Saudagar, forming a human chain to protest against the Pimpri Chinchwad Municipal Corporation’s (PCMC) Riverfront Development (RFD) project. The protest, part of the River Conservation 2.0 movement, aimed to raise awareness about river pollution and the need for restoration while rejecting unnecessary construction along riverbanks.

As the protest gained momentum, morning joggers, walkers, and cyclists were engaged by enthusiastic environmentalists, who educated them about the threats posed by the RFD project. People of all ages, from children to senior citizens, joined in, chanting slogans such as “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, emphasizing that this was a battle to protect nature.

Local NGOs, environmental groups, and concerned citizens united to highlight the urgent need for ecological preservation over urban expansion. Protesters stressed that the Pavana, Mula, and Indrayani—lifelines for over 30 lakh residents—must be restored to their natural state. They strongly opposed artificial embankments and recreational infrastructure, advocating instead for the protection of trees, wetlands, and wildlife habitats along the riverbanks.

This demonstration is part of a broader campaign pushing for pollution-free rivers and sustainable river management. Protesters raised concerns that large-scale projects like the RFD could accelerate environmental degradation, threaten biodiversity, and pose long-term public health risks. Many questioned the necessity of such developments, urging authorities to prioritize waste management and pollution control instead. They warned that if their demands were ignored, protests would escalate, including direct action at government offices.

For years, Pimpri Chinchwad’s rivers have suffered from pollution and neglect. Despite persistent appeals from environmentalists and concerned citizens, meaningful action remains elusive. Beyond their role as water sources, these rivers hold immense cultural and historical significance, yet they continue to be overlooked.

A similar protest and human chain were formed by the same group on 9th March at Chafekar Chowk in Chinchwad. On 15th March, the group took their awareness campaign to Balewadi. Today, the movement reached Pimple Saudagar. The group aims to continue spreading awareness across the city, targeting multiple locations to ensure the message reaches a wider audience.

John Dsouza, a resident of Pimple Saudagar, highlighted the urgent need for action: “We treat the river as our mother. Our mother doesn’t need beautification; she needs health. If cancer is detected, it needs a cure, not decoration. The river must be cleaned. A robust sewage treatment plant (STP) is essential for purifying river water. Once, we used to swim in these rivers, but now we can clearly see what has gone wrong. The cleanliness of the river is of utmost urgency. Purification of the Pavana, Mula, and Indrayani rivers cannot wait.”