Alandi: Toxic Foam Resurfaces in Indrayani River, Activists Blame Authorities for Ongoing Pollution

Pune, 30th December 2024: A thick layer of toxic foam appeared in the Indrayani River near Alandi on Sunday, reigniting concerns over pollution in the sacred waterway. Environmental activists and local residents have once again pointed fingers at the Maharashtra Pollution Control Board (MPCB) and civic bodies for failing to curb the persistent issue of contamination, despite previous reports highlighting similar incidents.

“There was no foam in the river for a few days, but it resurfaced on Saturday and worsened by Sunday morning as the river’s water flow increased,” said a local resident of Alandi.

The Indrayani River holds religious significance for the Warkari community, with many visiting the temples in Dehu and Alandi to bathe in or drink from its waters. However, the recurring foam issue is raising serious concerns about its contamination.

An environmental activist from the region explained that while the Pimpri Chinchwad Municipal Corporation (PCMC) occasionally sprays chemicals to suppress the foam’s visibility, the real solution lies in tackling pollution across the entire stretch of the river that flows through urban areas.

“These measures may conceal the foam temporarily, but the root cause remains unaddressed,” the activist said.

This issue had been raised earlier in July during a visit by former Chief Minister Eknath Shinde to the Alandi temple, where he assured that the government was taking steps to make the Indrayani river pollution-free. Shinde mentioned that efforts were underway to address the contamination problem.

The river, which flows through multiple municipal councils, villages, and the industrial area of Chakan MIDC, has long been subjected to pollution. In response, the state government has launched a river rejuvenation project, which is being implemented by the Pune Metropolitan Regional Development Authority (PMRDA) and PCMC. The project received approval from the State Environment Impact Assessment Authority in September this year.

Officials have expressed confidence that the project will help reduce pollution levels in the river. However, the tendering process for the initiative has been delayed due to the enforcement of the model code of conduct during the state elections.

Despite these efforts, concerns remain about the continued pollution. “The PCMC is releasing untreated sewage into the Ram Zara nullah, which eventually flows into the Indrayani river. They are directly responsible for polluting this sacred river,” claimed Prashal Raul of the Green Army.

As the foam problem persists, activists and residents continue to call for immediate action to address the ongoing pollution of the Indrayani River.