Pune: Action Taken Against River Pollution in Pimpri, Rs 65,000 Fine Collected
Pune, 17th January 2024: The Environmental Engineering Department of the Pimpri Chinchwad Municipal Corporation (PCMC) has taken action against pollution in the Pavana, Indrayani, and Mula rivers flowing through Pimpri city. Seven vehicles, including six speeding trucks and a tempo, were seized for illegally dumping dirt and mud into the riverbeds. A fine of 65,000 rupees has been collected from the vehicle owners.
The river basins of Pavana, Indrayani, and Mula in Pimpri have been facing increasing pollution due to the unauthorized dumping of dirt and earth. Instances of illegal construction and makeshift structures along the riverbanks are also observed. Despite complaints, PCMC has been slow to respond, leading to a continuous degradation of the river ecosystems.
After receiving complaints, the Regional Office of PCMC, along with the Environmental Engineering Department, conducted inspections and took action against violators. The areas affected include Morya Park, Krishnaraj Colony, Amrita Colony, Bhau Nagar, Muktangan Lawns, Deokar Park, and Shivneri Colony in Pimple Gurav.
The vehicles involved in illegal dumping, owned by individuals such as Nitin Darshile, Damodar Talimatty, Nagnath Manjule, and Lakappa Pujari, were seized by PCMC. A total fine of 65,000 rupees was recovered from these vehicle owners. The action was carried out by Health Inspector Amol Gorkhe and Multipurpose Worker Gorakshnath Karpe under the guidance of Sanjay Kulkarni, Joint City Engineer (Environment), with the assistance of the environmental team and MSF personnel.
Environmental activists and concerned citizens are calling for permanent action against those involved in river pollution. They emphasize the need for stricter regulations and consistent enforcement to protect the rivers and their ecosystems.
