Summary:
Pune: A group of environmentalists in the city have opposed the ongoing Metro work on the Mutha riverbed, claiming that it was hampering the water carrying capacity of the river.They have prepared a report highlighting the construction work carried out by the Maharashtra Metro Rail Corporation.“The debris is dumped in large quantity, which has reduced the width of the river and will cause problems in channelising of water,” said environmentalist Sarang Yadwadkar.“We had raised objections when the Metro was planning construction of the Metro through the riverbed. The Metro officials and Pune Municipal Corporation had promised in court that they will take precaution while constructing Metro on the riverbed but they have not done so,” said Vandana Chavan, member of Rajya Sabha.“The work should be stopped till the objections raised by us are addressed,” said urban planner Aneeta Gokhale-Benninger.Hemant Sonawane, public relations officer, Metro rail, stated they were following the guidelines laid down by various authorities and experts.Earlier, the plan to align the Metro route along the riverbed was tied up in litigation, with city-based activists moving the Natonal Green Tribunal in this regard..