Pune: PMRDA Plans Rs 826-Crore River Rejuvenation Project for Indrayani, Pavana
Pune, 20th December 2025: In a major initiative to curb river pollution in the Pune Metropolitan Region, the Pune Metropolitan Region Development Authority (PMRDA) has prepared a long-term river rejuvenation plan for the Indrayani and Pavana rivers, with a combined outlay of ₹826 crore. The project will be implemented through joint funding from the Centre and the Maharashtra government.
Of the total proposed cost, ₹674 crore has been earmarked for the Indrayani river and ₹152 crore for the Pavana. The plan was presented on Thursday in the presence of PMRDA Metropolitan Commissioner Dr Yogesh Mhase, Additional Metropolitan Commissioner Deepak Singla, and senior officials from PMRDA, the Maharashtra Pollution Control Board (MPCB), Maharashtra Industrial Development Corporation (MIDC) and Maharashtra Jeevan Pradhikaran.
The Indrayani river, considered sacred due to its association with pilgrimage towns such as Dehu and Alandi, is 105.3 km long, of which around 85.5 km falls within PMRDA limits. Officials said untreated sewage currently enters the river at multiple locations, degrading water quality to hazardous levels. A detailed project report (DPR) has been prepared and has received technical approval from IIT Roorkee. The proposal has now been submitted to the National River Conservation Directorate for final clearance.
Under the project, modern sewage treatment plants (STPs) with tertiary treatment facilities will be established, existing infrastructure will be upgraded, and underground sewerage networks will be developed across several villages. Additional measures proposed include installing iron trash screens at major bridges to trap floating waste, strengthening solid waste management systems, setting up biogas facilities, and deploying jetting machines for sewer maintenance.
The Pavana river, which originates at the Pavana dam in Maval taluka, is about 60 km long, with nearly 35 km flowing through the PMRDA jurisdiction. A comprehensive rejuvenation plan covering 54 villages along its banks has been prepared. As part of the project, 14 sewage treatment plants with a combined capacity of 5.84 million litres per day will be constructed in 11 villages. Additionally, 14 common solid waste management centres are proposed for 52 villages.
Officials said 60 per cent of the project cost will be funded by the Centre, while the remaining 40 per cent will be borne by the Maharashtra government through PMRDA. The total outlay also includes operation and maintenance of the infrastructure for a period of 15 years.
According to PMRDA, the key objectives of the project include intercepting polluted drains entering the rivers, establishing efficient and sustainable sewage treatment systems, improving water quality, maintaining ecological balance, and preserving the cultural and religious significance of the Indrayani and Pavana rivers.
