Indrayani River Rejuvenation Project Gets Approval from State-Level Technical Committee!

Pimpri-Chinchwad : The long-pending Indrayani River Rejuvenation Project, which is directly linked to the health of nearly 5 million citizens of Pimpri-Chinchwad and surrounding rural areas, and holds deep spiritual significance for Maharashtra’s Warkari Sampraday, has now received a boost. The proposal for approval from the State-Level Technical Committee (SLTC) of the Urban Development Department has finally been cleared. With this, the way has been paved to commence the river rejuvenation works.

BJP MLA Mahesh Landge had been consistently following up to push the Indrayani project forward. He urged that environmentalists and voluntary organizations be involved in preparing an upgraded development plan. Landge had repeatedly raised the issue during the State Assembly sessions, drawing the attention of the government. In 2022, he had placed demands before then CM Eknath Shinde and current CM Devendra Fadnavis.

The “Namami Indrayani” project has now gained all necessary administrative and technical approvals, along with funding support, thanks to persistent efforts.

Significantly, environmental organizations and social groups from the city and surrounding areas actively participated while finalizing the development plan. As per the municipal corporation’s Master Plan, the proposal includes establishing 60 MLD sewage treatment plants (STPs) at multiple locations. The works will also include Water ATMs, public toilets, street furniture, chain link fencing and compound walls, and a biodiversity park.

Under the AMRUT 2.0 mission, the SLTC meeting was chaired by the Additional Chief Secretary (UD-2), in which the Indrayani River Rejuvenation Project’s detailed plan received approval.

“The Indrayani River Rejuvenation Project will simultaneously achieve four major objectives – river conservation, flood control, water treatment, and beautification. This is a ₹526-crore project to be implemented under the AMRUT 2.0 mission. The plan includes two STPs of 40 MLD and 20 MLD capacity, stormwater drainage systems for rainwater harvesting, interceptor lines to divert polluted water to STPs, stone embankments to strengthen riverbanks for flood control, and the development of green zones and afforestation along the riverfront for beautification.”

– Devendra Fadnavis, Chief Minister of Maharashtra

“The Indrayani River, the lifeline of Pimpri-Chinchwad and the holy river for the Warkari Sampraday, has now received approval from the State-Level Technical Committee under the leadership of Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis. Earlier, Deputy CM Eknath Shinde had extended his support for administrative approval. The BJP-Mahayuti government has fulfilled its promise to Pimpri-Chinchwad residents. I express my heartfelt gratitude to CM Devendraji and the government.”

– Mahesh Landge, MLA, BJP, Pimpri-Chinchwad, Pune