PMRDA Unveils ₹826 Crore Comprehensive Plan to Rejuvenate Indrayani and Pavana Rivers

PMRDA launches ₹826 crore river rejuvenation project for Indrayani and Pavana, aiming to improve water quality, sewage treatment, and ecological balance in Pune region.

Pune, December 20 2025: The Pune Metropolitan Region Development Authority (PMRDA) has cleared a major ₹826 crore river rejuvenation project targeting the Indrayani and Pavana rivers, two of the most polluted yet culturally significant water bodies in the Pune Metropolitan Region. The project is designed to address long-standing issues of untreated sewage discharge, solid waste dumping, and deteriorating water quality, while ensuring long-term ecological balance and sustainability. Officials describe the initiative as one of Maharashtra’s most comprehensive river restoration efforts in recent years, combining modern infrastructure with environmental conservation planning.

Out of the total proposed expenditure, ₹674 crore has been earmarked for the Indrayani river and ₹152 crore for the Pavana river. The funding pattern follows a 60:40 ratio, with the central government contributing the larger share and the Maharashtra government providing the remaining amount through PMRDA. Importantly, the project cost also includes operation and maintenance expenses for a period of 15 years, a move experts say is crucial for preventing future neglect and ensuring sustained impact.

The Indrayani river, which flows through pilgrimage towns such as Dehu and Alandi, stretches over 105.3 kilometres, of which 85.5 kilometres fall under PMRDA’s jurisdiction. Over the years, rapid urbanisation and the absence of adequate sewage infrastructure have resulted in untreated domestic and industrial waste entering the river at multiple points. To address this, PMRDA has prepared a detailed project report that has already received technical approval from IIT Roorkee and has been submitted to the National River Conservation Directorate for final sanction. The plan includes the construction of advanced sewage treatment plants with tertiary treatment, extensive underground sewer networks in riverbank villages, interception and diversion of polluted drains, installation of iron trash screens at bridges, and deployment of jetting machines for regular sewer maintenance. Biogas plants and upgraded solid waste management systems are also part of the strategy to prevent waste from reaching the river.

The Pavana river rejuvenation plan focuses on a 60-kilometre stretch, with about 35 kilometres falling within PMRDA limits. Originating from the Pavana dam in Maval taluka, the river passes through rapidly developing rural and semi-urban areas. The project proposes the construction of 14 sewage treatment plants with a combined capacity of 5.84 million litres per day across 11 villages. Additionally, 14 common solid waste management centres will serve 52 villages along the riverbanks, aiming to reduce direct dumping and improve waste segregation and disposal practices at the local level.

Senior PMRDA officials, along with representatives from the Maharashtra Pollution Control Board, Maharashtra Industrial Development Corporation, and Maharashtra Jeevan Pradhikaran, have stressed that the project is not limited to pollution control alone. The broader objectives include improving water quality, restoring aquatic ecosystems, safeguarding public health, and preserving the rivers’ religious and cultural importance. Environmental experts note that rivers like Indrayani and Pavana play a key role in groundwater recharge and regional ecology, making their revival essential for long-term water security in the Pune region.

In the long run, PMRDA expects the project to significantly reduce pollutant loads, improve dissolved oxygen levels, and make river water safer for downstream use. Officials believe that the integrated approach, combining infrastructure, governance, and community-level waste management, could become a model for similar river rejuvenation projects across India. If implemented effectively, the initiative has the potential to transform two neglected rivers into sustainable urban lifelines once again.

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