Pune: Pimpri-Chinchwad River Development Project Sparks Protests; Police Detain Environmentalists During CM Devendra Fadnavis’s Alandi Visit
Reported by Varad Bhatkhande
Pimpri-Chinchwad, 10th May 2025: The Riverfront Development (RFD) project on the Pavana, Mula, and Indrayani rivers in Pimpri-Chinchwad has triggered intense protests from environmental groups and citizens, who accuse the Pimpri Chinchwad Municipal Corporation (PCMC) of endangering river ecosystems and ignoring public opposition. Despite ongoing demonstrations, human chains, and formal petitions to political leaders, work on the project continues, fueling further outrage.
On Saturday, during Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis’s visit to Alandi, police detained several prominent activists, including Komal Kalbhor of the Indrayani Seva Foundation and Prashant Raul of Green Army, without explanation. “I was taken to the police station by car at 11 am and kept there until 1 pm. They did not tell me why I was detained,” Kalbhor said, adding that she has filed a formal complaint. Social activist Maruti Bhapkar, who was also detained, stated, “We have a constitutional right to protest peacefully, but our rights are being trampled.”
Green Army’s Prashant Raul also staged a significant protest outside the MIDC Bhosari Police Station, opposing what he called an unjust action against environmentalists for voicing their concerns.
Pimpri-Chinchwad Police have reportedly issued letters to the detained activists stating that they were held on 10th May at 10:10 AM under Sections 68 and 69 of the Maharashtra Police Act, based on secret information that they intended to show black flags to Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis during his important visit to Alandi. The action was taken to prevent any potential law-and-order disturbance. The detention was recorded in the police station diary, and the individuals were released at 1:45 PM after being served formal notices.
The letter also refers to a preventive order issued by the Police Commissioner on 29th April 2025, which bans activities such as displaying or burning pictures of leaders, chanting obscene slogans, playing loud instruments, or engaging in any act that could cause public disorder. It advises individuals to express their demands peacefully and cooperate with the administration.
The environmentalists were detained at MIDC Bhosari, Alandi, and Sangvi Police Stations. However, when contacted for an official response, senior Pimpri-Chinchwad Police officials were unavailable for comment.
Protesters allege that the RFD project is proceeding in violation of environmental norms, with biodiversity destroyed and riverbeds narrowed due to debris dumping and illegal tree felling. “The administration is pushing the project despite no demand from citizens, and only 5% of the funds are allocated for river cleaning,” said a protest organizer. Environmentalists argue the project prioritizes beautification and commercial development over pollution control and river rejuvenation, threatening sacred groves and habitats along the riverbanks.
Recently, according to media reports, the irrigation department also raised concerns, warning the municipal corporations not to reduce the river’s cross-section or violate no-objection certificate (NOC) conditions. “We have urged both corporations to take the necessary precautions to protect the river’s flow, prevent erosion of the riverbanks, and safeguard the region’s biodiversity,” said H. V. Gunale, Chief Engineer, Water Resources Department, Pune.
Despite these objections, PCMC officials maintain that all environmental and legal clearances have been obtained and that project work will continue. The controversy has reached the courts, with a public interest litigation pending and a special committee appointed to monitor the project. Deputy Speaker Anna Bansode, after meeting protesters on 27th April, instructed the PCMC Commissioners to halt work and promised an inquiry, stating, “Illegal tree felling and narrowing of the riverbed under the guise of the RFD project is wrong. An inquiry will be conducted, and discussions held with the Chief Minister before any decision is made.”
