The Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) is now grappling with a hefty fine of Rs 507 crores imposed by the Water Resources Department (WRD) due to its failure to treat sewage water before discharging it into the Mula-Mutha river over the span of six years.
According to the latest notification, PMC stands accused of non-compliance in treating sewage water, particularly from the 11 villages that were merged with PMC in 2017 and the 23 villages whose 250 million litres per day (MLD) sewage generation was merged with Pune city limits in 2021. The PMC had assured proper treatment of this sewage water through the establishment of nine sewage treatment plants.
Under this promise, approximately 477 MLD out of the total 750 MLD sewage water generated in the old Pune city limits (excluding 34 recently merged villages) was supposed to be treated by these plants. However, PMC’s notification acknowledges that the untreated sewage water from the 11 villages and the 250 MLD sewage from the 23 merged villages continue to be discharged into the Mula-Mutha river, causing pollution.
Officials from PMC have affirmed that they have furnished all necessary details about the existing and upcoming sewage treatment plants to Maharashtra’s Water Supply Department. Additionally, they have submitted an appeal to the Khadakwasla division seeking a waiver of the imposed fine. The basis for the appeal is PMC’s ongoing efforts in setting up proper water treatment plants throughout the city.
PMC has been collaborating with the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) to establish 11 new sewage treatment plants at various locations within the city. These plants are projected to become operational by the year 2026. The corporation’s initiatives aim to mitigate pollution levels and ensure that sewage water is treated efficiently before being discharged into water bodies, aligning with environmental preservation objectives.
