Following recent heavy rainfall in the Deccan area, the banks of the Mutha River have been overwhelmed with plastic and other waste materials, exacerbating concerns about river pollution in Pune. Despite citizen efforts and periodic cleanup drives, the situation persists, raising questions about the effectiveness of waste management efforts by the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC).
Persistent Pollution Challenges
The Mutha River, particularly in the Deccan area, stands as one of Pune’s most polluted stretches of water. Maharashtra Pollution Control Board (MPCB) data categorizes this segment as having a ‘bad’ water quality index, with readings ranging from 40.12 to 44.69 from January to March this year. Untreated sewage discharge, rampant waste dumping, and plastic pollution contribute significantly to the degradation of the river’s ecosystem.
Blame and Calls for Action
Citizens advocating for river conservation lay blame on the PMC for its perceived failure to prevent waste dumping into the river. Despite sporadic cleanup efforts, the lack of effective waste management infrastructure and enforcement mechanisms exacerbates the problem. Harshad Barde, director of Swachh, emphasizes the urgent need for awareness campaigns and the installation of garbage bins along the riverbanks to mitigate dumping practices.
Solid Waste Management Challenges
Shailaja Deshpande, co-founder of the River Foundation, identifies solid waste, construction debris, and untreated sewage as major pollutants in the Mutha River. While PMC installs nets at certain locations to intercept waste, the lack of comprehensive strategies to prevent waste flow into the river remains a concern. Deshpande underscores the importance of extending net coverage and implementing robust waste collection mechanisms to address the root causes of pollution.
PMC’s Response and Proposed Solutions
Sandip Kadam, Deputy Commissioner of the Solid Waste Management Department at PMC, acknowledges the challenges posed by commercial entities dumping waste into the river, particularly during late hours. PMC’s response includes fines for offenders caught in the act and collaborative cleanup efforts involving waste pickers and volunteers. Kadam highlights the need for riverbank fencing to deter illegal dumping and emphasizes PMC’s commitment to proactive waste collection strategies.
