Water hycinth on Pavana river near Wakad chowk
Following the state’s latest affidavit, the PCMC sought time during an NGT hearing on Sept 10 —the order for which was uploaded on Tuesday— to assess its financial position and evaluate if it can undertake the proposed pollution-control measures using its own funds. The move comes after the state govt announced that no funds were available for new projects under the 15th Finance Commission. Pune : Pimpri Chinchwad Municipal Corporation (PCMC) has sought time from National Green Tribunal (NGT) to examine whether it can fund measures to curb pollution in Pavana river from its own resources.
In an affidavit filed before the NGT on Sept 9, the state govt stated that funds were unavailable under the 15th Finance Commission for new projects. During earlier hearings, PCMC had informed the tribunal that it had sought funds under NRCP to set up, modernise, and expand 14 STPs along the city’s rivers to reduce pollution in Pavana. The civic body had stated it was ready to contribute 40% of the project cost from its own funds while seeking the remaining amount from the state and central govts.
You Can Also Check: Gold Rate in Pune | Silver Rate in Pune | Bank Holidays in Pune | Public Holidays in Pune | Petrol Price in Pune | Diesel Price in Pune | CNG Price in Pune | LPG Price in Pune Stay updated with the latest Pune news. It also noted that the National River Conservation Plan (NRCP) could not spare funds for setting up sewage treatment plants (STPs). The tribunal was hearing a petition filed by city-based activist Krunaal Gharre regarding pollution in Pavana river, which has been identified as one of the most polluted river stretches in the country. Meanwhile, the Maharashtra Pollution Control Board (MPCB) informed NGT that its officials had identified four industries allegedly polluting Pavana river during a recent inspection. The board has also calculated the environmental damage compensation to be levied against these industries. The tribunal, however, observed that the four industries needed to be impleaded as parties before any action could be taken against them. It subsequently directed that the industries be added as respondents in the case. Download the TOI App.