Pune Hosts Its First River Festival As Citizens And PMC Unite For Cleaner Mutha
Pune Hosts Its First River Festival As Citizens And PMC Unite For Cleaner Mutha
Pune, December 1, 2025: In a landmark show of public participation, Pune’s first-ever ‘River Festival 2025 – Clean River, Beautiful Pune’ was held on Sunday along the banks of the Mutha River. The event, organised jointly by residents and the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC), drew thousands of enthusiastic citizens committed to advancing a cleaner and greener city. Encouraged by the overwhelming turnout, the PMC now plans to host the festival three times a year.
Pune Municipal commissioner Naval Kishore Ram said the initiative demonstrates how civic issues can be effectively tackled when citizens and the administration work hand in hand. “The administration alone cannot fulfil the city’s aspirations. When Punekars and the PMC collaborate, nothing is out of reach. Pune has always been home to thoughtful, responsible citizens. Why shouldn’t we become the cleanest and most beautiful city?” he said.
Ram emphasised that major infrastructure projects such as the upcoming 1,000 MLD sewage treatment plant and river rejuvenation works will deliver meaningful results only if residents actively protect and maintain the waterways. “A clean river is possible only when every citizen commits to safeguarding it. This must become a citywide movement,” he added, urging civic departments to shed complacency and adopt a proactive approach.
Massive River Cleanup Marks The Festival
The festival included a large-scale cleanup drive stretching from Bhide Bridge to Mhatre Bridge between 7 am and 11 am. The PMC’s solid waste and environment departments led the effort, supported by organisations including Yuva for Action, Ecosun Services Foundation, Jeevitnadi Living River Foundation and several NGOs.
In just four hours, volunteers and civic teams cleared 263 tonnes of road debris, 11 tonnes of dense grass and 20 tonnes of garbage from the riverbed. Heavy machinery and civic vehicles—including JCBs, bell trucks, cutting trucks, tippers and specialised equipment—were deployed to speed up the process. Multiple civic departments, from gardens and sewerage to traffic, fire and Smart City, worked in coordination to ensure the drive’s success.
Cultural Performances Highlight Pune’s Spirit
The festival also celebrated Pune’s cultural vibrancy. Students from the Adi School of Dance performed to iconic river-themed songs by the late Bhupen Hazarika, while dancer Shalvi Kolhatkar presented a piece based on G.D. Madgulkar’s ‘Nadi Sagarat Milata’. Senior PMC officials and citizen-activist Shyamla Desai were present and applauded the initiative.
As Pune gears up to mark National Pollution Control Day on December 2, the city’s first River Festival stands as a powerful symbol of community-driven environmental stewardship and the collective commitment to restoring and preserving its rivers.
