Consultant for Mula-Mutha river plan to be named by end of month

PUNE: The process for selection of the principal consultant for the Rs 990 crore for abatement of pollution in the Mula-Mutha river is slated to be completed by the end of this month.
As reported earlier by TOI, the appointment of the consultant has been delayed by more than six months now. This has led to delays in implementation of the ambitious project that aims to clean up the city’s rivers, as well as put in place infrastructure for the proper processing of sewage before its release into the river water.
However, with the appointment, Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) officials are optimistic about completing the project by the 2022 deadline.
According to PMC superintending engineer for drainage Jagdish Khanore, five prospective consultants have been short-listed for the project, which is being funded by the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) and the PMC.
“The five consultants had visited the city on May 29, and have taken down details of the status and requirements for the project. They will now submit their respective tenders to the National River Conservation Plan (NRCP) by June 26,” Khanore said.
One of these consultants will be selected and announced as the principal consultant by the NRCP by the end of June and full-fledged work can begin, he added.
Earlier, TOI had reported that the was held up due to a delay in appointing a principal consultant. Depsite the delay, however, the PMC had already received funds to the tune of Rs26 crore over the past six months. Thecivic body had used that to lay sewerage lines and build community toilets.