MPCB has been directed to undertake comprehensive water-quality monitoring and collect samples from multiple locations along the Godavari and its tributaries, including Nandini river
The directions were issued in a meeting at Mantralaya in Mumbai on Nov 4 to review pollution and chromium contamination in the Godavari and its tributaries against the backdrop of proceedings in Bombay high court in a contempt petition related to Godavari river pollution. The meeting’s minutes said the high court, in its Oct 27 order, had expressed serious concern over reported chromium contamination in water samples and the continued discharge of hazardous industrial effluents. The environment department was directed to ask MPCB to make a provisional funding arrangement for the salaries and related expenditure of 30 Maharashtra State Security Corporation personnel proposed by the Nashik police commissioner until a final decision on funding was taken.
Nashik Municipal Corporation (NMC) commissioner Manisha Khatri said in the meeting chromium contamination had been reported in the Godavari’s tributary, Nandini, and not in the river’s main channel. You Can Also Check: Gold Rate in Nashik | Silver Rate in Nashik | Bank Holidays in Nashik | Public Holidays in Nashik | Petrol Price in Nashik | Diesel Price in Nashik | CNG Price in Nashik | LPG Price in Nashik Stay updated with the latest Nashik news.
The samples are to be analysed expeditiously to ascertain the nature and extent of contamination and identify its sources, according to the minutes of the meeting as approved by the chief secretary. The chief secretary said the responsibility should be fixed on officials who permitted or facilitated violations despite ZLD conditions stipulated while granting the consent to establish or the consent to operate. The new facilities are designed to keep BOD (biochemical oxygen demand) levels in treated water below 5mg/l,” NMC commissioner Khatri said. She said a new sewerage network was being laid along the banks of the Godavari to prevent sewage from entering the river. “The new STPs are expected to be completed by March 2027,” Khatri said.
Nashik : Chief secretary Rajesh Aggarwal has directed Maharashtra Pollution Control Board (MPCB) to take stringent action against the industries discharging untreated or inadequately treated effluents into the Godavari and its tributaries in Nashik and fix the responsibility on officials allowing violations despite the Zero Liquid Discharge (ZLD) norm. MPCB has been directed to undertake comprehensive water-quality monitoring and collect samples from multiple locations along the Godavari and its tributaries, including Nandini river, local nullahs and suspected discharge points. The pollution board has been asked to inspect and raid suspected industrial units and initiate action, including penalties or closure directions, wherever warranted under environmental laws. It will also prepare a list of the most polluting industries with details of their owners. Strict disciplinary action, including suspension wherever warranted, should be initiated in accordance with applicable rules and procedures. Maharashtra Industrial Development Corporation (MIDC) has been asked to examine the circumstances under which polluting industries were established and permitted to operate in Nashik’s industrial areas. Accountability has to be fixed wherever negligence, dereliction of duty or complicity is established. The chief secretary directed MPCB to scientifically verify the current status and the extent of contamination through comprehensive sampling and analysis. NMC was specifically directed to inspect illegal constructions within the river’s blue and red flood lines. The meeting also discussed the proposed sewage treatment plant for Ambad and Satpur industrial areas, along with the sewerage network, for which NMC has estimated a tentative requirement of around Rs250 crore. It was decided that MIDC would bear two-thirds of the cost and NMC would contribute the remaining one-third. Maharashtra Jeevan Pradhikaran (MJP) was asked to visit the site and provide technical sanction to the detailed project report. Interim measures are also to be taken to prevent further pollution until the treatment facilities are commissioned. The proposed Godavari Protection Police Squad was discussed in the meeting. The divisional commissioner was asked to coordinate with the departments concerned to finalise a composite proposal on funding, creation of posts and related issues. The forthcoming Kumbh Mela was also cited in the minutes. All departments and authorities concerned were directed to accord priority to the issue and ensure coordinated and time-bound implementation of pollution-control and enforcement measures. “We are taking several measures to make the Godavari pollution-free and ensure that its water meets bathing-quality standards ahead of the Kumbh Mela. NMC is constructing four new large STPs and upgrading an existing one. Download the TOI App.
NMC and the water resources department were asked to verify illegal constructions shown in photographs submitted before the high court.