Pune: The Pimpri Chinchwad Municipal Corporation (PCMC)’s standing committee on Wednesday took a significant decision ahead of the Ashadhi Wari, approving the appointment of a contractor and sanctioning works worth Rs430 crore for the Indrayani river rejuvenation project.The warkari community has long been demanding that the river pollution be curbed.The proposal was not part of the standing committee meeting’s original agenda. It was tabled and approved despite objections from some members, including NCP’s Sandip Waghere and Shiv Sena’s Sulbha Ubale. Standing committee chairperson Abhishek Barne said the collective decision was taken to ensure that Indrayani rejuvenation project works begin before the annual Ashadhi Wari and the palkhi procession. “Discussions were held and only one member recorded dissent formally,” he said.A senior PCMC official said the work order would be issued within the next two to three days. “Chief minister Devendra Fadnavis, who is scheduled to visit Alandi for the palkhi departure ceremony, is likely to perform the bhoomipoojan. The project completion deadline is 36 months,” he said.The annual palkhi procession of Sant Tukaram Maharaj will leave Dehu for Pandharpur on July 7, while the Sant Dnyaneshwar Maharaj Palkhi will depart from Alandi on July 8.The Indrayani river holds immense religious significance for warkaris visiting the temples at Dehu and Alandi. Many devotees traditionally perform teerth snan — they take a dip in the river and drink its water. However, in the recent years, the temple authorities have cautioned devotees against the practice on health grounds amid worsening pollution.Meanwhile, the rejuvenation project comes years after assurances by successive chief ministers, including Eknath Shinde and Devendra Fadnavis, that steps would be taken to clean the river. Despite repeated promises, little was done. Sewage pollution continued unabated. In recent months, residents have reported thick layers of white foam on the river surface, while fish deaths near Dehu have also raised environmental concerns.With work set to begin now, the govt was expected to showcase the project as a concrete step towards fulfilling its commitment to the warkari community ahead of the annual pilgrimage.Officials said the project included construction of two sewage treatment plants, interception and diversion of sewage, flood mitigation measures, afforestation and riverbank restoration. The focus is to improve water quality and restore the river ecosystem, with limited emphasis on beautification. The project is being implemented under the Centre’s Amrut 2.0 scheme, with the Centre and the state govt sharing half of the cost, while the the civic body would bear the remaining.In another decision ahead of the pilgrimage, the state govt on Tuesday approved a Rs41-crore development plan for the Dehu temple, including works at the birthplace of Sant Tukaram Maharaj.Every year, lakhs of warkaris from across Maharashtra participate in the Ashadhi Wari, travelling on foot from Dehu and Alandi to the Vitthal temple in Pandharpur.
