Launched simultaneously in all the three city rivers for the first time ahead of monsoon, the 43-day-old drive is likely to conclude on Wednesday.

Mayor Pravin Datke told TOI the drive is likely to conclude on June 22 if the city does not receive heavy rains. "Works on all six stretches of Nag river have been completed except a few portions on the first stretch between Ambazari Lake overflow point and Panchsheel square. Similarly, works have been completed at all four parts of Pili river barring a stretch in West Nagpur where shanties were removed a few days ago. Works were completed in Porariver. It's a big achievement," he said.

The works included removing silt along with garbage, correcting the gradient of riverbed, widening the rivers' width and making embankments wherever needed. Total 42km length of three rivers was covered under the drive.

The drive initially was planned up till June 5 — World Environment Day- but the deadline was extended to ensure the rivers were cleaned thoroughly.

The drive holds significance as the NMC will begin Nag and Pili rivers pollution abatement project works in the next few months. The ministry of environment, forest and climate change had approved the project worth 1,298 crore a few days ago.

Following the drive, a few stretches of Nag river have got complete makeover. SangamChawl, where Futala Lake nullah meets Nag river, now resembles a river with clean and widened riverbed. Stretch from Ashok square to St Xaviers School near Wathoda too is depicting a river after regaining its lost glory.

However, Nag, Pili and Pora rivers cannot be described in similar words unless they are free of sewage. The problem will be addressed under Nag-Pili River Pollution Abatement Project.

Datke, municipal commissioner Shravan Hardikar and other officials of NMC continued to monitor works through every day inspection and review meetings.