Pune: Thousands of Fish Found Dead in Mula-Mutha River Due to Pollution
Reported by Mubarak Ansari
Sangamwadi, 25th December 2024: A shocking environmental incident has surfaced in Pune as thousands of fish were found dead in the Mula-Mutha River near the Naik Island area. The Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) has collected water samples from the site and sent them for laboratory testing to determine the cause. Officials are investigating the source of the contaminated water, suspected to contain harmful chemicals.
The Mula and Mutha rivers, which flow through Pune, have long been plagued by pollution. Their confluence at Sangamwadi has become a hotspot for untreated sewage and industrial waste. According to data, Pune generates nearly 900 million liters of sewage daily, but only 450 million liters undergo treatment before being released into the rivers. The remaining untreated sewage continues to pollute the rivers.
The situation is particularly dire in the Mutha River, which is primarily contaminated with untreated sewage, while the Mula River faces additional threats from toxic chemical waste discharged by industries in the Pimpri-Chinchwad area. The cumulative pollution renders the water dangerous for aquatic life, causing massive disruptions to the ecosystem.
The sight of dead fish near Naik Island has created an unpleasant stench in the area, further alarming residents. The Naidu Sewage Treatment Plant is located nearby, but officials have clarified that no untreated water from the plant has been detected so far.
Additional Commissioner Prithviraj BP addressed the situation, saying, “After receiving information about the fish deaths in the Mula-Mutha River, water samples were collected and sent for testing. The report is expected in two to three days. Preliminary checks revealed no untreated water discharge from the Naidu Sewage Treatment Plant. However, the sewage department has been directed to investigate if any sewage pipes have burst. Further action will be taken once the exact cause is identified.”
This incident highlights the grave issue of water pollution in Pune’s rivers, which has persisted despite the installation of sewage treatment plants. With half of the city’s sewage untreated and industrial effluents entering the rivers unchecked, aquatic life continues to suffer.
The Municipal Corporation is now under pressure to identify the source of the contamination and implement stricter measures to prevent similar incidents in the future. Residents and environmental activists are calling for accountability and swift action to restore the health of the rivers.
