Japanese offer to help restore Mula-Mutha river in Pune

Japanese businessmen have joined others from various corners of the globe to evince keen interest in the Mula-Mutha river restoration project mooted by the Mahratta Chamber of Commerce, Industries and Agriculture (MCCIA) and the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC).

Experts and businesses in Belgium and Germany have already had discussions on the issue with the MCCIA.

A Japanese delegation from Yokohama, in Kanagawa prefecture, on Monday expressed interest in providing support for the river restoration and beautification. The delegation is in the city on a two-day visit to develop mutual
business relationships.

“We would like to offer technical knowhow for the river restoration project. We will study the Mula and Mutha rivers. We will study the objectives, features and current status of the MCCIA’s river restoration plan and offer a partnership to the MCCIA and the PMC to take this project forward successfully,” said Tetsuro Aramaki, president of ACE Giken Co Ltd.

He said his company has expertise in handling river restoration projects. “We have expertise in such projects, especially river cleaning and waste water management projects, at both micro and macro levels. Along with the civic bodies, we would also be happy to provide our expertise and technical assistance to private companies and industries located in and around Pune for waste water management,” Aramaki said.

The delegation, invited by the MCCIA, also has representatives from the Japanese External Trade Organization (Jeto). The delegates are from water disposal machines, food-processing machinery, engineering and consultancy for factory automation services and banks, among others.

Matsufuji Shizuaki, executive director and mission head of the university, government and organisations wing of Jeto, said the delegation primarily aims at conducting surveys and research on Pune city and its prospects.

“We would like to tap the investment potential of Pune and find business partners. Every opportunity that will help us in building mutually beneficial relationship between Pune and Japan will be explored,” he said.

The delegation is exploring the possibility of starting a special student exchange programme between Yokohama State University and the University of Pune. This programme will focus on language faculty students.

Anant Sardeshmukh, executive director general of MCCIA, said his organisation would discuss the Japanese proposal and try to identify areas of expertise of the Japanese companies in river restoration. He told DNA that the Japanese delegation would be asked to present in detail how they can help in the project.