Meet on June 1 to discuss details of Namami project

The state government has decided to rejuvenate the Bhima river, also called Chandrabhaga in Pandharpur, somewhat on the lines of the holy Ganges. Project “Namami Chandrabhaga”, when implemented, aims to rid the river of pollution and restore its famed sanctity.

“Namami Chandrabhaga” is the brain child of finance minister, Sudhir Mungantiwar, who had mentioned it during his budget speech. Mr Mungantiwar said that it was his pet programme and he would change the Chandrabhaga completely by 2019.

Officials from the water resources department said that Bhima is named Chandrabhaga in Pandharpur owing to its crescent moon shape. The river Bhima originates in Pune district and completes its 370-odd km journey across Pune and Solapur districts.

Mr Mungantiwar said that the river gets polluted in Pandharpur which is a holy place. “Hence, we have decided to rejuvenate the river on the lines of the Ganga. We will hold a meeting on June 1 at Pandharpur to discuss details of the project in which experts will be involved. We have invited 200 experts from all over the nation, including those working on the Ganga rejuvenation project,” he said.

In a presentation before Mr Mungantiwar by various departments, including Maharashtra Pollution Control Board (MPCB), the minister’s attention was drawn towards pollution in the Bhima and allied rivers including Indrayani, Mula and Mutha which get polluted in Pune district due to sewage water.

The minister said that the state’s focus was Pandharpur as it was a holy place and lakhs of warkaris (devotees) visited the place twice every year. “There is no permanent, adequate toilet facility and devotees openly defecate during the yatra. We have to stop it. It will need awareness as well as construction of basic amenities such as sewage treatment plants to prevent the river from getting polluted. This is the first step towards making holy places free of pollution and we will begin with the Chandrabhaga,” he said. Expected expenditure on the project would be calculated once project details were finalised, he added.