Over 5000 Residents Protested Pune Riverfront Development Project At Baner’s Chipko River March
Over 5000 Residents Protested Pune Riverfront Development Project At Baner's Chipko River March
Pune, February 10, 2025 – Over 5000 citizens gathered at Kalmadi School in Baner for the “Chipko River March” on Sunday, voicing strong opposition to the Riverfront Development (RFD) project undertaken by the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) and Pimpri-Chinchwad Municipal Corporation (PCMC).
On February 9, citizens & organisations under the umbrella of Pune River Revival organised a Chipko March under the tagline “Save Trees, Save Rivers.” It started at the Kalmadi High School and culminated at the Ram Mula Confluence in Baner, Pune.
Over 5000 citizens gathered in Baner for the "Chipko River March" on Sunday, February 9 voicing strong opposition to the Riverfront Development (RFD) project undertaken by the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) and Pimpri-Chinchwad Municipal Corporation (PCMC).#Pune @PuneRivers… pic.twitter.com/udaSKOsV8g
— Pune Pulse (@pulse_pune) February 10, 2025
Chanting slogans like “Twinkle, twinkle, little star, river is our superstar,” protestors carried placards and wore face paint to highlight their demand for preserving Pune’s rivers and trees. The non-political demonstration concluded at the Ram-Mula confluence, where participants embraced trees marked for possible removal.
Prominent personalities joined the march, including actor-activist Sayaji Shinde, who emphasized the need to protect natural resources for future generations. Climate activist Sonam Wangchuk, known for his hunger strike for Ladakh’s environmental concerns in 2024, expressed solidarity with Pune’s citizens. “People here care about their rivers and trees. They raised their voices for Ladakh, and now, I stand with them,” Wangchuk said, addressing the gathering.
Former Pune mayor and MP Vandana Chavan warned about the project’s potential consequences. “We’ve seen flooding in this area before, including in 2019 when water entered Jupiter Hospital and several residences. Decision-makers must act now and halt this work,” she urged.
Volunteers distributed postcards, allowing citizens to pen messages to the Prime Minister, urging intervention to save Pune’s rivers. Residents pleaded for action, while others, including parents, used the march as an opportunity to teach children the importance of environmental conservation.
The protest is part of a larger movement against the RFD project, with activists raising concerns about ecological damage and urban flooding risks. As opposition grows, citizens demand transparency and sustainable development in riverfront planning.
