The Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) has granted final approval to construct a sewage treatment plant (STP) at the College of Agriculture’s botanical garden as part of the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA)-funded Mula Mutha River cleaning project.

This key development follows the issuance of a no-objection certificate (NOC) from the Maharashtra State Biodiversity Board and land approval from the Mahatma Phule Agricultural University. The project, previously delayed due to the site’s biodiversity heritage status, will now proceed without further hindrance. The STP will treat 350 million litres of sewage per day (MLD), significantly improving the water quality of the polluted Mula Mutha River. In total, 11 STPs are planned under the Rs 1,173 crore project, with ten already under construction.

An additional Rs 300.21 crore has been allocated for maintenance over the next 15 years. Once completed in 2025, the project is expected to purify up to 95 percent of Pune’s sewage, promoting long-term environmental sustainability.