Advertisement
A joint committee led by the Maharashtra Pollution Control Board has informed the National Green Tribunal (NGT) that the Pune Metropolitan Region Development Authority (PMRDA) must prepare a detailed action plan to stop untreated sewage from entering the Bhima River. The tribunal's earlier directive pointed out that responsibilities were being shifted between authorities. During a site visit the committee found untreated sewage flowing from the Satkarsthan Gram Panchayat area into the river. The NGT has asked for environmental-damage compensation from the local bodies and set deadlines for PMRDA and others to respond fully.
A panel headed by the Maharashtra Pollution Control Board submitted a report to the National Green Tribunal recommending that the Pune Metropolitan Region Development Authority develop a comprehensive action plan to treat the sewage generated within its jurisdiction. Advertisement
The matter followed a petition in which a landowner claimed that sewage from Satkarsthan Gram Panchayat was being released untreated into his farmland and then flowing into the Bhima River. Because the gram panchayat falls under PMRDA's jurisdiction, sewage- and solid-waste-management responsibility rests with the development authority.
In a July order the NGT had observed that one authority was shifting its burden to another and said that even PMRDA appeared not to be accepting its duties. It therefore constituted a joint committee to conduct a site inspection and submit findings. During the visit, the committee confirmed that untreated sewage was indeed being discharged into the Bhima River. The committee recommended that environmental-damage compensation be recovered from both the Rajgurunagar Municipal Council and the Satkarsthan Gram Panchayat.
The report further urged these local bodies to implement adequate sewage-treatment arrangements in their areas. Earlier, in August, the Maharashtra Pollution Control Board had issued notices to both bodies for polluting the river.
5th Jun, 2025
25th May, 2023
11th May, 2023
27th Apr, 2023
Advertisement
Facebook
Whatsapp
