In early 2016, the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) proposed the Pune Riverfront Development Project along the length and breadth of the Mula-Mutha rivers. The 44-kilometre-long Mula, Mutha and Mula-Mutha rivers** (the **latter is formed by the confluence of the Mula and Mutha rivers) flowing within the PMC limits are set to undergo a ‘rejuvenation’ under the beautification project, costing Rs 4,727 crore. The Detailed Project Report states that the main objective is to clean the rivers and reduce flooding.

The project will require channelising and converting the two rivers into canals by constructing 30-40-feet-high concrete or stone embankments along their length. Additionally, barrages will be built on all three rivers near Garware College, Kaspate Vasti (Cantonment) and Mundhwa K.T. Weir.

Environmentalists and the Water Resources Department (WRD) have expressed concern. The WRD said, “While implementing the Riverfront Development Project on Mula, Mutha and Mula-Mutha rivers, care should be taken to not reduce the cross-section of the rivers.” However, the PMC seems to have ignored this advice as the project will allegedly narrow down the rivers in the process of building embankments, which will require land reclamation from the riverbed or floodplains. This, in turn, will affect groundwater aquifers and the city’s watertable. The barrages being built will cause the water, which is already sewage water, to stagnate and flow back into the streams, resulting in mosquito infestation. It will also lower the levels of dissolved oxygen and impact the last two remaining fish species (Mangur and Tilapia) in the rivers.
 
The Environmental Clearance for the project was also controversial and was allegedly rushed by the State Environment Impact Assessment Authority (SEIAA). A report by the South Asian Network on Dams, Rivers and People claimed that the SEIAA ignored the basic elements of the project, such as according clearance in the absence of barrage experts in the committee. The assessment report also allegedly denied any form of demolition of houses along the rivers. Essentially, the project will not clean the rivers; instead, it will irreversibly destroy the rivers’ biodiversity and ecology, deplete groundwater table, make bridges and roads inaccessible** **and cause flooding and land submersion.
 
Environmentalists and civic activists have raised the issues with the WRD, but has not got any response so far. Some activists have petitioned the National Green Tribunal and the Bombay high court against the irregularities of the project. Despite the opposition, in October 2021, the PMC floated a tender worth INR 360 crore for the first phase of the project from Sangam Ghat to Bund Garden.
 
An Appeal was filed in 2020 by Pune-based Architect Sarang Yadwadkar along with Pushkar Kulkarni against the Environmental Clearance (EC) granted to the project. The Appeal was premised on several grounds such as absence of any scientific study of the Mula, Mutha and Mula-Mutha Rivers, their biodiversity or the ecology of Pune, reduction in the cross section of the river, prohibition on construction in blue line of the river, etc. The Appeal also alleged that the State Expert Appraisal Committee (SEAC) has failed to appraise component of the construction of barrages due to the lack of expertise with SEAC and yet allowed the project in violation of the order of the Supreme Court.

In its judgment dated 29 November 2022, the NGT held that there was a failure of the SEAC to apply its mind during the process of grant of EC, and that “even EIA report prepared by the Consultant and argued to be appraised by the SEAC/SEIAA, does not provide any details of various activities proposed to be undertaken as a part of the project”. However, despite the observed violations, the NGT disposed of the Appeal, saying, “as this is public interest project, the PP has carried out all required studies, and SEAC/SEIAA have duly apprised the proposal before recommending/granting EC”. The NGT did however direct the PMC to obtain an amended EC from the State Environmental Impact Assessment Authority (SEIAA) factoring in certain additional safeguards.

During the pendency of approval of amended EC, on 27 March 2023, the Supreme Court adjudicated on an Appeal filed against the NGT Judgment of 29 November 2022. A Division Bench of Justice Sanjiv Khanna and Justice M M Sundresh recorded in their order that they did not “find any good ground and reason to interfere” with the judgment of the NGT, and accordingly the Appeal was dismissed. However, the Apex Court added that the Appellants were free to raise pleas before the NGT if any violations caused by the Pune Municipal Corporation are observed.

Meanwhile, the process of obtaining amended EC continued. On 19 September 2024, the PMC submitted before the NGT that the SEIAA has granted the PMC an amended EC, and accordingly, the matter has now been legally settled. Commenting on the legal proceedings, Sarang Yadwadkar was quoted as saying “We feel this is very unfortunate for Pune and its citizens.”