Pune: MPCB Issues Notice to PMC Over Untreated Sewage Discharge, Causes Pollution and Fish Deaths

dead fish in river Pune
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Pune, 28th December 2024: The Maharashtra Pollution Control Board (MPCB) has issued a notice to the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC), alleging that the discharge of untreated sewage directly into the river has caused water pollution and fish deaths. It has also been revealed that the PMC’s sewage treatment project in the city is operating without the MPCB’s approval.

A joint inspection of the PMC’s Naidu Sewage Treatment Plant (STP) and the river area was conducted by MPCB and PMC officials. During the inspection, dead fish were found on both sides of the river. It was also observed that water was not flowing in the area where the Pune River Rejuvenation Project is being implemented.

“The sewage from three drains near the Naidu Sewage Treatment Plant is directly mixing with the river. As a result, fish in the river have died. The sewage in the drain is black, foul-smelling, and has a pH value of 6 to 7,” the notice issued by the MPCB stated.

The notice also mentioned that PMC is discharging 90 MLD (million litres per day) of untreated sewage into the Mula and Mutha rivers. Additionally, while the old Naidu sewage treatment plant has been demolished, the new project has not yet been completed or started, and no alternative power supply has been provided for it. The notice further revealed that the PMC operates sewage treatment plants with a total capacity of 567 MLD at various locations across the city, all of which are functioning without the MPCB’s approval. The approval period for these projects expired on 31st December 2023.

In the notice sent by the MPCB to the PMC, the Mula and Mutha rivers, along with the Indrayani and Ulhas rivers, have also been mentioned. Although the Indrayani and Ulhas rivers do not actually flow through Pune city, the MPCB has held the PMC responsible for their pollution. Whether this was an oversight by the MPCB or there is another reason remains unclear, as officials have not commented.

Jagannath Salunkhe, Regional Officer of MPCB Pune, said, “PMC has been served a notice for water pollution and has been asked to comply with the rules and submit a report within 15 days. PMC has also been instructed to submit a long-term plan for treating 100% of Pune’s wastewater. If PMC does not respond to the notice, legal action will be taken.”

Manisha Shekatkar, In-charge Chief Engineer of the Electrical Department at PMC, stated, “PMC does not have sewage treatment plants with the capacity to process all the sewage in Pune. Additionally, since the new Naidu sewage treatment plant is still under construction, it is not yet operational at full capacity. The process of obtaining MPCB approval for the sewage treatment plants in Pune is currently underway.”