Dumping, Encroachments, And Zero Action: Kharadi Residents Expose Shocking River Crisis (VIDEO)
The National Green Tribunal (NGT), four years back, directed that the debris dumped along the Mula-Mutha river in Pune be removed, but still, there has been no change along its banks. Builders continue to dump construction garbage, and encroachments are happening with no fear of law and order, allege the residents of Kharadi.
Akshay Poorey, Joint Secretary, Kharadi Resident Welfare, said, "The continued encroachment along the Mula-Mutha river not only threatens the ecological balance but also poses serious risks to public safety and the long-term sustainability of our environment. Despite repeated complaints, the lack of timely and coordinated action from PMC and the Police Department is deeply concerning. As responsible citizens, we urge the authorities to initiate swift and strict measures to remove these encroachments and restore the river to its natural state. Kharadi residents stand united in demanding a cleaner, safer, and encroachment-free riverfront."
"We have been repeatedly facing the issue of roads turning into rivers during the monsoon in our area. Water flows through society and residential areas, transforming them into river-like conditions. The cause is clear — encroachments on natural drains and incomplete actions taken by the authorities! For the past few years, we have been persistently following up on this issue. The riverbed is continuously shrinking, and encroachments are increasing. Last Friday, the concerned authorities started the action, but only 20% of the work was completed before they left. Why? 'It got dark,' they say! Protecting natural resources is our responsibility! If the issue remains unresolved, we will take legal action," said Prabha Karpare, an environment enthusiast.
Kharadi Residents Welfare Team (KRW), a residential forum, along with a few residents, also met Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar along with former MLA of Vadgaonsheri constituency, Sunil Tingre, and handed over a written plea to protect the exhibition ground from being handed over to the builder.
2024 letter by KRW
The KRW also wrote a letter on August 22, 2024, addressing the Municipal Commissioner to address the issue, but the residents allege that nothing has been done so far.
The letter read, "The rate of encroachment on the riverside is increasing in Kharadi and Chandan Nagar areas, and due to this encroachment, the entire transport system has collapsed. This area is known as an IT park, but currently, the condition of this area is very bad. Shops have emerged near the river belt, and due to this, parking is being done on the road, causing immense hardship to citizens. Due to this, immediate notices should be issued to the shop owners, and they should be strictly warned to use the front margin for parking. Orders should be issued to provide necessary facilities for P-1 and P-2 parking. This problem will continue because only temporary action is being taken at present. Therefore, special fines should be imposed, and concrete steps should be taken to resolve this permanently. Temporary measures are taken by the authorities through mohalla cleanings, but within a few hours, the encroachments are raised again. This issue has been discussed in meetings for so many years, but no concrete decision is taken."
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