Pune, July 22 Taking cognisance of the health hazards and problems caused by biodegradable, non-biodegradable and construction waste being dumped into the Pavna river, the Pimpri Chinchwad Municipal Corporation started removing debris from Pavna River on Tuesday. The work was started on the Pavna River near Zulelal temple in Pimpri. Around 70 persons are part of the initiative and a JCB machine has been pressed into service. The pollution levels in the Pavna River have increased drastically in the past few years, owing to various forms of industrial waste and sewage from nullahs being dumped into the river. Also, a large number of devotees visit the Morya Gosavi and Zulelal temple situated on the banks of the Pavna River in Pimpri Chinchwad. These devotees put flowers in the pond as offerings to deities. This obstructs the river flow. "Devotees should put their offerings in a tank constructed by PCMC," said PCMC medical chief Nagkumar Kunachgi. To curb debris deposition in the river, PCMC recently started collecting fines up to Rs 25,000 from builders that dump debris. The PCMC will initiate legal proceedings against those who violate the rule repeatedly. Further, the PCMC is also seeking funds under Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission to clean up the river.