Pune: Water Hyacinth Chokes Mula-Mutha River Near Keshav Nagar, Residents Fear Mosquito-Borne Diseases

Keshav Nagar, 25th March 2026: The unchecked spread of water hyacinth in the Mula-Mutha river has emerged as a serious environmental and public health concern for residents of Purva Silversands and nearby housing societies in the Keshav Nagar and Kharadi areas.

Over the past several months, residents say the rapid accumulation of water hyacinth has led to large patches of stagnant water in the river, creating ideal breeding conditions for mosquitoes. Locals fear this could significantly increase the risk of mosquito-borne diseases such as dengue, malaria and chikungunya, putting thousands of families in the area at risk.

Residents claim that despite repeated complaints to the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC), little concrete action has been taken. Several citizens say the civic body’s response has been slow and fragmented, with different departments shifting responsibility instead of addressing the problem collectively.

Harshal Pandit, a resident who has been actively following up with civic officials, said the situation has worsened over time. “The hyacinth has spread across large sections of the river near our societies. Stagnant water has become a major breeding ground for mosquitoes, and residents are worried about the health risks. We have repeatedly raised the issue with PMC, but there has been no coordinated action so far,” he said.

According to residents, the PMC’s Insect Control Department has maintained that the problem cannot be addressed effectively unless the accumulated hyacinth is removed. Officials from the department have reportedly told residents that mosquito control measures will remain limited as long as the vegetation continues to choke large portions of the river.

However, residents claim that the Hyacinth Control Department has attributed the issue to restricted water flow near newly constructed bridges. According to them, officials indicated that reduced river flow in certain stretches has resulted in the excessive accumulation of hyacinth.

“The departments appear to be blaming each other while the situation on the ground keeps getting worse,” said another resident of a society in Keshav Nagar. “We are the ones who pay taxes and live with the consequences. The authorities must stop passing the buck and work together to resolve this issue.”

Residents say the deteriorating condition of the river is not only affecting the environment but also raising serious concerns about public health and living conditions in the area.

They have urged the civic administration to take immediate and coordinated action to remove the hyacinth and implement effective mosquito control measures. Citizens have also warned that if the issue continues to be ignored, they may be forced to organise collective protests to draw attention to the problem.

Residents emphasised that swift intervention by the PMC is essential to prevent the situation from escalating into a larger public health crisis and to protect the well-being of people living along the riverbanks in eastern Pune.