Maharashtra Environment Minister Pankaja Munde has instructed the administration to prioritize ecological balance and pollution control in river beautification projects. This directive was issued during a review meeting regarding the Mula-Mutha River Pollution Control Project under the National River Conservation Plan. Minister Munde highlighted the need for proper maintenance of Sewage Treatment Plants (STPs) to prevent functionality issues.
Several key points were discussed during the meeting to enhance Pune’s environmental infrastructure. Minister Munde mentioned plans to secure land for the STP project at the Botanical Garden in Aundh and to introduce a new policy for rural sewage treatment. Efforts will be made to relocate the headquarters of the Maharashtra Pollution Control Board (MPCB) to Pune and allocate funds to expedite pending projects in the city.
Pune Municipal Commissioner Naval Kishore Ram presented an overview of the sanitation infrastructure, covering sewage generation, processing capacity, financial status, and implementation challenges of ongoing projects within municipal limits. He also updated the Minister on various sewage treatment centers in the city. Minister Munde expressed a strong commitment to implementing sustainable and pollution-free initiatives to transform Pune’s riverfront.
In a separate announcement, Minister Munde revealed that the state government is finalizing the establishment of a River Rejuvenation Authority to focus on pollution control rather than just beautification. This Authority aims to address water pollution issues and ensure the effective enforcement of environmental policies. The Minister made these statements during a review meeting at the Pune Metropolitan Region Development Authority (PMRDA).
