Residents of Katraj and Bibwewadi, particularly from societies like Lake Town, are facing an ongoing challenge of foul smell and mosquito troubles emanating from Katraj Lake within the Rajiv Gandhi Zoological Park. Despite repeated complaints and inspections by the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC), the situation has not seen significant improvement, causing distress among the residents.
A resident of Lake Town, who wished to remain anonymous, highlighted the persistent issue of foul smell and mosquitoes throughout the year. The growing population and settlements in Jambhulwadi contribute to the release of sewage water into Katraj Lake, leading to pollution, foul smell, and various other problems. Despite PMC inspections, concrete actions to address the problem have been lacking.
Another resident expressed the impact of the bad smell, particularly during mornings and evenings. Toxic water is being released into the lake, disrupting the residents’ sleep and creating an atmosphere of helplessness. The continuous release of untreated water and the ensuing foul smell have made the situation increasingly dire.
Prachi Deshpande, a resident of Lake Town, voiced frustration over the prolonged follow-ups with the municipal body since 2022. Despite partial measures such as reducing water levels and removing some stilt, the untreated water with hazardous foul smell persists. The residents feel suffocated and question the responsibility of the civic body in making their living conditions bearable.
Residents have reported an increase in mosquitoes, calling for the removal of water hyacinth and demanding that PMC ensures drainage is not released into the lake water.
Lalit Bendre, Executive Engineer at PMC Drainage Department, assured that work on a sewage treatment plant (STP) is ongoing, with expectations that it will resolve the issue.
Tanmay Kanitkar, a social activist, emphasized the need to prevent the release of sewage/untreated water into water bodies, addressing the root cause of water pollution. He criticized the focus on construction-related activities in the beautification of water bodies, stressing the importance of maintaining clean water.
The residents continue to urge PMC for swift and effective action to restore the quality of Katraj Lake and alleviate the distress faced by the societies in the area.
