The findings surfaced days before the Oct 31 Dhwajarohan ceremony held simultaneously in Nashik and Trimbakeshwar as part of the Simhastha Kumbh Mela 2026-28 preparations
The reports also revealed biochemical oxygen demand (BOD) levels of 85 mg/L, 48 mg/L and 52 mg/L at the three locations, respectively, which significantly exceeded the permissible limit of 20 mg/L. He said an urgent hearing on Godavari pollution was scheduled before Bombay high court on Nov 3, where the MPCB report would be presented to seek stringent action against the authorities responsible.
This stage leads to suffocation of aquatic life,” an MPCB official said. It reduces drastically at Takli village and the levels jump up again as it reaches Nashik Road, indicating the direct addition of sewage and other pollutants,” the officer said. “The river is carrying untreated sewage and toxic waste,” Pandit said.
“As per the reports, the DO (dissolved oxygen) at all the three places was nil. It marks the presence of massive amount of pollutants in the river. “The BOD is at its peak as soon as water passes Panchavati area. Environmental activist Rajesh Pandit raised concerns over the health risks posed to pilgrims expected to take ritual baths in the river.
The findings surfaced days before the Oct 31 Dhwajarohan ceremony held simultaneously in Nashik and Trimbakeshwar as part of the Simhastha Kumbh Mela 2026-28 preparations. Water samples were collected on Oct 5 from three locations — the Godavari-Kapila confluence at Tapovan (the first point downstream of Ram Kund), Takli village (where Nandini river joins Godavari) and Nandur Manur ghat on Jail Road, according to MPCB officials. The test reports were received on Oct 19.
Nashik : Maharashtra Pollution Control Board (MPCB) has found alarming levels of pollution in Godavari river at three locations in Nashik, with laboratory reports showing dissolved oxygen (DO) levels at 0 mg/L, far below the minimum expected level of 3 mg/L, indicating an anoxic dead zone where most aquatic life cannot survive, effectively rendering the stretch a biological desert. “The projects are expected to add 409 million litres per day (MLD) of treatment capacity to the existing 340 MLD. By March 2027, the deadline for finishing of all the works, we are sure the quality of water in the river will be much better,” a senior NMC officer said.
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Nashik Municipal Corporation (NMC) officials said work on four new sewage treatment plants (STPs) was progressing simultaneously. Download the TOI App.