PUNE, May 22: An open air theatre by the river behind Balgandharva, floating restaurants, a business centre at Hingne, an amusement park and a well developed island near Sambhaji bridge are among the highlights of the master plan being worked out by the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) for the beautification of Mutha river.

If the plans materialise, then the city's main river -- which is currently a dumping site for garbage and sewage water -- will be transformed into a major recreation centre within the next four years.

The broad outlines of the Rs 150 crore project have been finalised and a detailed report will be ready within the next six months. PMC has appointed Pune River Group, a body of architects, engineers and experts in the field of history, geology, biology, zoology and other related fields as its consultants for the project.

The broad outlines of the project will be officially announced by the PMC on May 24.

According to the plan, besides channelising the 7.2 km stretch of the Mutha river between Vitthalwadi and Sangam bridge, the PMC will also utilise the land on either sides of the river.

The total land along this stretch is 1.5 square kilometers. While half of it will be used for channelising the river water, the remaining land will be utilised for various recreational and commercial activities.

There are plans to open a community shopping center on the channelside land between Vitthalwadi and Mhatre bridge, a business center at Hingne and a Saibaba temple.

An amusement park will come up on the stretch of land between Mhatre bridge and Sambhaji bridge. A commemorative sculpture garden will be developed on the riverside behind the Vaikuntha crematorium and a ghat (platform) will be develop adjacent to it for Ganesh idol immersion.

The land along the Sambhaji bridge and Shivaji bridge will be used for developing a garden. The PMC also proposes to develop a business center on a part of this land.

An open air riverside theatre with a floating stage is also planned behind the Balgandharva Rangmandir.

The major thrust of the project will be on developing the river as a recreation center. However, the commercial establishments like the market and business center and activities like water sports, restaurants and theatre are expected to generate the much needed funds for undertaking the Rs 150 crore project.

Copyright © 1997 Indian Express Newspapers (Bombay) Ltd.