Pimpri: The Maharashtra Pollution Control Board (MPCB) has issued a notice to the Pimpri Chinchwad Municipal Corporation (PCMC) and has sought an explanation from the civic body as to why a case cannot be filed holding it responsible for the pollution of Pavana, Mula and Indrayani rivers.
The notice states that untreated sewage water and industrial effluents are being released into the rivers, deteriorating their water quality. Water weed has also grown in them.
The notice further states that the PCMC has been violating rules by not checking the pollution. The STP water is being released directly into the river without treating it. Industrial effluents are being discharged from units in Talwade, Chikhali, Kudalwadi and Moshi into the Indrayani river. The civic body has 16 STPs with a total capacity of 363 MLD. However, only 300 MLD sewage water is being treated daily. The remaining sewage is discharged untreated into the rivers. One STP each has been built at Bhosari sector 217 with a capacity of 7 MLD and at Jadhavwadi with a capacity of 3 MLD. The ‘consent to operate’ permission has not been taken for these STPs.
Prepare an action plan within 15 days
The MPCB has asked why a case cannot be filed against the Joint City Engineer, PCMC, under sections 41 (2), 43, 44 and 48 of the Water (Pollution Prohibition and Control) Act 1974? And why cannot a penalty be imposed as per the NGT order QA No. 593/2017? Why cannot the bank guarantee be confiscated for violating the rules mentioned in the letter of consent?
The MPCB has ordered the PCMC to submit an improved action plan within 15 days.
