The Environmental Engineering Department of the Pimpri-Chinchwad Municipal Corporation (PCMC) has issued a temporary stay order on the ongoing work near the Pimple Nilakh crematorium under the Mula River Rejuvenation Project.

The rejuvenation project is being undertaken jointly by PCMC and Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) to curb pollution and implement flood control measures along the Mula River from Wakad Bypass to Sangvi Bridge under Phase 1. The work has already been awarded to Shirke Construction Technology Pvt. Ltd. as per work orders dated August 2024.

The letter reads, "The recent complaints from local citizens and NGOs about ongoing activity near the crematorium have prompted the authorities to reconsider the work in the specified area. Based on this, the PCMC has directed that work in this stretch be temporarily suspended until further notice, pending technical review and response to public appeals. For now, the rest of the project continues as planned, while the affected section awaits further instructions."

The residents expressed their concerns, stating that while the temporary halt is welcome news, it must be made permanent in the near future, and for that to happen, there must be 100 per cent unity and strength shown by PCMC citizens.

One of the residents said, "We have been protesting and demanding that the authorities stop the RFD project, as trees have been axed illegally by the contractor. Still, no action was taken by any of the departments. The temporary halt in the RFD work at a particular stretch would only bring relief when it is halted permanently, and we as citizens should come forward for this noble cause."