Indrayani River rejuvenation project gets fresh push with STP approval

In a major boost the Indrayani river development project received a new facelift on September 18 as work on two sewage treatment plants STPs and other components is set to be completed within the next yearThe Indrayani River Rejuvenation Project of great cultural significance to the Warkari tradition and vital for nearly 50 lakh citizens in PimpriChinchwad industrial town and surrounding rural areas has secured approval from the StateLevel Technical Committee SLTC under the Urban Development Department The meeting held in Mumbai on September 18 cleared the way for the initiative The project titled Namami Indrayani will now move forward with administrative and technical sanctions backed by funding under the Central Governmentrsquos AMRUT 20 schemeThe development plan includes setting up 60 MLD sewage treatment plants at different sites installation of water ATMs public toilets street furniture chainlink fencing compound walls and a biodiversity park The project is designed to integrate river conservation flood control sewage treatment and beautification measuresChief Minister Devendra Fadnavis welcomed the approval stressing that it would address four crucial areasmdashriver conservation flood management water treatment and beautificationIn a post on his official handle the CM stated ldquoTo control pollution in Indrayani River approval has been granted by the Statelevel Technical Committee for two Sewage Treatment Plant projects These will ensure four aspects are addressedmdashriver conservation flood control water treatment and beautification The project worth Rs 526 crore will be implemented under AMRUT 20 Two plants with capacities of 40 MLD and 20 MLD will store rainwater for reuse Polluted water will be diverted to STPs via interceptors while flood control measures include check dams strengthening riverbanks and retaining walls River tributaries will be rejuvenated green zones developed and afforestation carried out for ecological balance This initiative will reduce pollution significantly and provide major relief to citizensrdquoPCMC Commissioner Shekhar Singh told Midday ldquoWe will issue tenders for STPs and other components now The overall timeline is 30 months though the STPs may be completed within 24 monthsrdquoPCMC had proposed the scheme three years ago on the lines of the Namami Ganga project and submitted a detailed project report DPR to the governmentThe Indrayani flowing through the temple towns of Dehu and Alandi holds a spiritual identity with lakhs of Warkaris visiting during the annual Palkhi procession A longpending demand of the Warkari sect was to preserve the sanctity of the riverThe project will be implemented jointly with the Pune Metropolitan Region Development Authority PMRDA Alandi Municipal Council Dehu Municipal Council and both the Central and state governments The DPR pegs costs at Rs 995 crore with contributions of Rs 526 crore from PCMC Rs 395 crore from PMRDA and Rs 74 crore from the Alandi Nagar Panchayat The statersquos highpowered committee had already given inprinciple approval three years agoAccording to civic officials PCMCrsquos expenses can be reimbursed under AMRUT 20 The plan also covers bank development wastewater collection and treatment from industrial drains and coordination with MIDC and PMRDABhosari MLA Mahesh Landge who spearheaded the proposal said ldquoThis project will be a role model for Maharashtra Indrayani rejuvenation is special due to its spiritual importance and the presence of Alandi and Dehu pilgrim centres It is the lifeline of PimpriChinchwad and sacred to the Warkari community The approval fulfills our promise to citizens I thank the CM and state government for backing this initiativerdquoOfficials noted the project offers longterm solutions to chronic river pollution from untreated sewage and industrial effluents It will address pollution through industrial and sewage runoff control while enhancing urban and periurban waterfronts Plans include beautified riverbanks new ghats for devotees and removal of encroachments with public participation Forts and ancient temples along the river are also set to be developed under an integrated plan