Pune: Water Hyacinth Chokes Mula-Mutha River in Mundhwa, Kharadi Area, Residents Slam PMC Inaction

Reported by Kajal Bhukan
Mundhwa, 16th May 2025: Once a vital lifeline for Pune, the Mula-Mutha River is now gasping under thick layers of water hyacinth, an invasive aquatic plant that has engulfed large stretches—especially around Keshav Nagar, Mundhwa and Kharadi. Residents are raising alarms over growing health risks and accusing the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) of negligence.

The unchecked spread of the hyacinth is largely due to eutrophication—a condition caused by the direct discharge of untreated agricultural, industrial, and domestic wastewater into the river. Water hyacinth, one of the fastest-growing invasive species globally, thrives in such polluted conditions. The plant doubles in size within days, forming dense mats that block sunlight, deplete oxygen levels, and lead to fish deaths. These mats also create ideal breeding grounds for mosquitoes, triggering a surge in vector-borne diseases like dengue and malaria in nearby residential areas.

Despite multiple complaints from citizens, many allege that PMC’s response has been limited to short-term, superficial solutions. According to residents, contractors often allow the hyacinth to drift downstream rather than removing it entirely.

“This is a growing issue. I’ve been in continuous contact with PMC. They claimed that if the Kalyani Nagar side of the river is cleaned, the Keshav Nagar stretch would automatically clear up. But that never happened,” said Harshal Pandit, a Keshav Nagar resident.

“Instead of cleaning the river, the contractors wait for the hyacinth to reach the jackwell bridge near Mundhwa and just shift it along. It’s not a solution,” he added.
The situation worsens with each recurrence, which residents say happens multiple times a month.

Vikas Singh, a resident of Godrej Infinity, said, “I raised a complaint last weekend. The hyacinth builds up, and so do the mosquitoes. Dengue and malaria cases are rising. Untreated sewage from areas like Koregaon Park, Khadki, Shivajinagar, Sangamwadi, and Peth flows directly into our stretch of the river, worsening the crisis.”

In Kharadi, the story is the same.
“Every year, we file complaints. The river is so polluted it doesn’t feel like a river anymore. It’s tough to step out at night because of the mosquito menace. It’s PMC’s job to maintain the river, and they are clearly failing,” said Deepak Patil, from the Kharadi Housing Society Association.

Mehzabin Saiyed, a long-time observer of the issue, points to deeper, systemic problems. “Untreated sewage and construction debris from the riverfront development are being discharged directly into the river. This feeds the hyacinth and accelerates its spread,” she said.

“PMC has deployed boats and contractors, but these are just temporary fixes. Kids can’t play outside, and senior citizens can’t go for walks. It affects our daily lives. Still, there’s no long-term strategy in place.”

When contacted, Mangesh Dighe, PMC Environment officer, responded:
“We are working on it. We’ve deployed three spider machines, one JCB, ten labourers, and boats for cleaning. The process should be completed in the next two to three days.”

On long-term plans, Dighe said, “Once the sewage treatment plant (STP) is operational, the issue will be resolved automatically.”

However, residents remain unconvinced.
“The Mula-Mutha is dying a slow death. What we need is not lip service but real action,” said one resident.

With the monsoon season approaching—a time known for water-borne disease outbreaks—citizens fear the problem will only escalate unless immediate and sustainable measures are put in place.