A River Reborn: The $895$ MLD Transformation of Pune’s Lifeline

Pune’s efforts to rejuvenate the Mula-Mutha river are gaining momentum, with three major sewage treatment plants (STPs) under the Pollution Abatement of River Mula Mutha (PARMM) project nearing completion.

Implemented as part of the National River Conservation Programme, the initiative involves the construction of 11 STPs along with missing sewer links across the city to prevent untreated sewage from entering the river. The project is jointly funded by the Central Government, the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), and the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC).

The Mundhwa, Warje, and Wadgaon STPs—together having a treatment capacity of 74 million litres per day (MLD)—are in their final stages. Dry run trials have been completed successfully, and wet testing is expected to begin shortly. These facilities will cater to areas such as Handewadi, Mohammadwadi, and Dhayari.

Additionally, two more STPs at Hadapsar and Kharadi are likely to commence trial operations within the next two months. Once all plants become operational by 2026, Pune’s total sewage treatment capacity will rise to 895 MLD, significantly enhancing the water quality of the Mula-Mutha river.

The PARMM (Old Limit) project, approved on January 14, 2016, under the National River Conservation Plan, aims to substantially reduce river pollution in Pune through funding support from JICA and a Central Government loan.

News by Rahul Yelligetti.