Pune Residents Protest Against RFD Project to Save Rivers
Hundreds of Pune residents gathered in Baner on 9 February to voice their opposition to the Riverfront Development (RFD) project being implemented by the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) and the Pimpri Chinchwad Municipal Corporation (PCMC). The protest, known as the Chipko River March, saw citizens chanting slogans, holding placards, and embracing trees marked for felling. Their message was clear: the city’s rivers should be preserved, not transformed into artificial waterways. Environmentalists and activists argue that the project could lead to severe ecological consequences, including increased flooding risks and loss of biodiversity. While the authorities claim the RFD project aims to enhance the urban landscape, critics assert that the river should be restored naturally rather than concretised.
Prominent voices, including actor Sayaji Shinde and Ladakhi climate activist Sonam Wangchuk, lent their support to the protest. Wangchuk, who gained national attention for his climate advocacy in Ladakh, praised Pune’s citizens for their commitment to environmental conservation. “This is democracy in action—people have voted today for clean air, rivers, and trees,” he declared, drawing applause from the crowd. Former Pune mayor and MP Vandana Chavan also highlighted the project’s potential dangers, recalling the devastating floods of 2019 that submerged parts of Baner and Aundh, including Jupiter Hospital. She criticised decision-makers for neglecting public concerns, urging them to halt construction and conduct a thorough environmental assessment.
From an urban planning perspective, the protest underscores the growing conflict between rapid urbanisation and ecological preservation. Pune has experienced significant infrastructure expansion in recent years, with multiple mega-projects altering the city’s natural landscape. While authorities argue that RFD will boost real estate values and improve aesthetics, environmental experts warn of long-term repercussions. Cities like Ahmedabad and Surat, which have implemented similar projects, have witnessed mixed results—while some sections have benefitted from beautification, others have faced worsened flooding and loss of native flora and fauna. Pune’s unique topography, with interconnected river systems, makes it particularly vulnerable to such large-scale modifications, raising serious questions about sustainability.
The sustainability argument against the RFD project is compelling. Unregulated urban expansion has already put immense pressure on Pune’s green cover, and further river modification could accelerate water scarcity and climate vulnerabilities. The protesters’ emphasis on tree preservation is particularly relevant—large trees play a crucial role in preventing soil erosion and maintaining the natural filtration of river water. As postcards addressed to the Prime Minister were distributed among the demonstrators, the message was loud and clear: citizens are willing to fight for a sustainable future. If urban development is to progress, it must do so without sacrificing the ecological balance that makes Pune’s rivers a lifeline for both people and biodiversity.