Godavari river view near Ramkund
Nashik : As the 2027 Simhastha Kumbh Mela draws closer, Nashik Municipal Corporation has stepped up efforts to restore Godavari and eliminate pollution with a Rs1,600-crore river rejuvenation project. NMC commissioner Manisha Khatri said the river would achieve bathing-quality water standards by May 2027, following the completion of sewage treatment infrastructure works. The flag hoisting ceremony of the Kumbh Mela will be held on Oct 31.
The officials said Nashik’s existing STPs, many over three decades old, were one of the key sources of river pollution due to limited efficiency and aging technology.
NMC said the project was not only vital for the religious congregation but also for improving public health, environmental sustainability and restoring the river’s sanctity. The new facilities will be equipped with advanced treatment systems and SCADA-based monitoring to ensure consistent compliance with environmental standards.
The four new STPs are being developed in Tapovan with a capacity of 180 MLD, Agartakli with 97 MLD, Chehedi with 64 MLD and Panchak with 75 MLD, with the existing 70 MLD STP at Agartakli being upgraded. Upon completion, the city’s overall sewage treatment capacity will increase from 342 MLD to 486 MLD. The project’s core involves replacing aging sewage treatment infrastructure — with four new advanced sewage treatment plants (STPs) — expected to improve the treated wastewater quality discharged into the river.