Maharashtra: NGT Joint Committee Report Flags ‘Alarming’ Pollution in Godavari River at Nanded
Nanded, 16th November 2025: The Godavari River in Nanded is facing a severe environmental crisis due to large-scale discharge of untreated sewage, solid waste, and toxic effluents, according to a Joint Committee report submitted to the National Green Tribunal (NGT).
The committee — comprising officials from the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), Maharashtra Pollution Control Board (MPCB), and the District Magistrate, Nanded — was constituted following an NGT order dated July 22, 2025. The action was initiated after a complaint by Jaymala Dhankikar regarding pollution at Nava Ghat. The report warns that contamination levels have reached “alarming proportions” and that the river water is no longer safe for consumption or other uses.
Sewage Discharge & Water Quality: Key Findings
Although the Nanded Waghala City Municipal Corporation (NWCMC) has installed sewage treatment capacity of 142 MLD against an actual sewage generation of 70 MLD, the committee found that significant volumes of untreated sewage continue to enter the Godavari through multiple natural drains.
Seven major nallas — including Chunnal Nalla, Govardhan Ghat Nalla, and Nava Ghat Nalla — were observed discharging untreated wastewater directly into the river.
Water samples from these drains showed extremely high pollution levels, with BOD ranging from 75 to 110 mg/L and COD between 284 and 376 mg/L.
River water samples indicated heavy organic contamination. Upstream of Govardhan Ghat, the water quality was classified as Class D, while downstream of Shani Ghat it fell under Class C, suggesting pollution persists even after conventional treatment.
Several sewage treatment plants were found non-operational at the time of inspection due to power failures, and no functional backup system was available. The committee also noted poor sewerage planning, resulting in underutilised and ineffective STPs.
Solid Waste Mismanagement Adds to Crisis
The report highlights serious shortcomings in the management of municipal solid waste.
Nanded generates approximately 362 MT of waste per day, but the processing capacity stands at just 150 TPD.
The municipal solid waste facility at Tuppa has been operating without valid authorisation since its previous consent expired in January 2017.
The site stores unsegregated waste and lacks a leachate collection and treatment system, leading to leachate accumulation in nearby drains — posing a high risk to groundwater and the river, especially during the monsoon.
Of the 714,221 MT of legacy waste, 410,000 MT has been bio-mined. However, the bio-mining plant was found non-operational during the inspection.
Regulatory Action & Recommendations
The MPCB had earlier issued a Show Cause Notice and Proposed Directions to the NWCMC over continued discharge of untreated sewage, a 13 MLD treatment gap, and poor handling of legacy and plastic waste.
The Joint Committee has recommended:
- Immediate corrective measures through proper sewerage planning and interception or diversion of nallas to prevent untreated sewage from entering the river.
- Installation of standby power backup at all STPs to ensure continuous operation.
- Imposition of environmental compensation on NWCMC for sewage discharge and violations of the Solid Waste Management Rules, 2016, with penalties applicable from April 1, 2020.
- Strict compliance with the SWM Rules, including waste segregation, leachate treatment, and timely completion of legacy waste bio-mining, supported by short-term and long-term action plans.
