Pune: Pankaja Munde Calls for Eco-Friendly Mula-Mutha River Rejuvenation, Pollution Control Focus

Reported by Mubarak Ansari
Pune, 11th April 2026: Maharashtra Environment Minister Pankaja Munde on Friday directed officials to prioritise eco-friendly measures and pollution control while undertaking river beautification projects, amid rising concerns over water pollution in the state.

The minister was speaking at a review meeting of the Mula-Mutha river pollution control project under the National River Conservation Plan in Pune. The meeting was attended by Pune Municipal Commissioner Naval Kishore Ram, Additional Commissioner Pavneet Kaur, Mayor Manjusha Nagpure, along with standing committee members and senior officials from various departments.

Highlighting the need for stronger institutional mechanisms, Munde said the state government has decided to establish a dedicated River Rejuvenation Authority to ensure effective implementation of measures aimed at curbing water pollution.

She pointed out that while several industries have installed Sewage Treatment Plants (STPs), many remain non-functional due to poor maintenance. Directing the Pune Municipal Corporation to ensure accountability, she said all operational STPs in the city must function at full capacity without complaints.

Munde also stated that efforts would be made to secure land from the agriculture department for a sewage treatment project at the Botanical Garden in Aundh. Additionally, the government is considering a new policy for setting up sewage treatment systems in villages after studying models from various districts and divisions.

She further assured that steps would be taken to ensure that the headquarters of the Maharashtra Pollution Control Board at Baramati continues to remain in Pune. Adequate funding will also be allocated to complete pending urban infrastructure projects, she said.

During the meeting, Commissioner Ram made a detailed presentation covering sewage generation and treatment capacity within the municipal limits, project implementation status, funding arrangements, trunk sewer lines, financial progress, and key challenges. Updates were also shared on sewage treatment facilities in Warje, Wadgaon, Mundhwa, Hadapsar (Matsyabeej Kendra), Kharadi, Dhanori, Baner, and Tanajiwadi-Bhairoba.