Several fish were found dead in the Mula near Balewadi-Baner, bringing river pollution concerns back into focus. Local residents alleged that contaminated and chemical-laced water was responsible for the deaths of aquatic life
Dead fish have been turning up in large numbers every day for the past 3-4 days. Either there are pollutants being released in the water by unknown people or the sewage water is getting in the river without getting treated first.
Ganesh Balwadkar, a resident who runs Chetak Sports Club in the area, said that the water quality has been poor for a long time. It needs to be investigated and the polluters must be punished,” said Balwadkar. “But this week, it turned completely black with a foul smell. The fish in this river are used to polluted water. Only when the pollution crosses all limits do they turn up dead.
Babasaheb Kukade, the Pune regional officer from Maharashtra Pollution Control Board, said the agency was notified of the matter at 4.30 pm on Friday and it acted immediately.
The problem must lie in the water upstream,” Dangat said, explaining that the Hinjewadi area is home to many industrial units and residential complexes. “We will send a letter in this regard to PMC’s environment department on Tuesday,” Dangat said. As per the preliminary enquiry and the laboratory report, further course of action will be decided,” said Kukade.
“We checked the sewage lines in our areas and none are broken or discharging water into the river. He added that water hyacinth in the river in the Balewadi-Baner area causes the water to become stagnant, causing fish to rise to the surface. “Our team will collect samples of the fish, water, etc., and send them for analysis at our laboratory.
A team comprising Govind Dharma Dangat, assistant municipal commissioner; Aundh-Baner ward officials and others visited the site on Friday afternoon.