PMC and PMRDA To Jointly to Install STP, To Curb Pollution In Khadakwasla Dam

PUNE: Taking a proactive stance to address environmental concerns, the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) and Pune Metropolitan Region Development Authority (PMRDA) have announced a collaborative effort to establish a sewage treatment plant (STP) in the villages neighboring the Khadakwasla dam’s backwaters. This initiative aims to stem the flow of sewage into the dam, a crucial water source for Pune city.

The decision comes as a response to the escalating issue of untreated sewage discharge, primarily from the burgeoning developments along the Khadakwasla to Panshet stretch. With housing complexes, hotels, and farmhouses dotting the landscape, the area’s rapid urbanization has inadvertently contributed to pollution in the Khadakwasla Dam.

Recognizing the financial constraints faced by the Gram Panchayat in setting up an STP, the state government intervened, directing the PMC and PMRDA to collaborate on mitigating sewage inflow into the dam. This directive underscores the paramount importance of safeguarding the water quality in Khadakwasla Dam, essential for meeting Pune’s burgeoning water demands.

The catchment area of the dam encompasses nearly 23 villages, intensifying the imperative for prompt action. Kunal Khemnar, additional commissioner, affirmed, “The pressing issue of dam water contamination was fervently discussed in a recent canal committee meeting. In adherence to the directives from the state government, we are poised to engage in constructive deliberations with PMRDA officials to devise a comprehensive plan and execute the project. Both agencies are committed to sharing the project costs evenly, ensuring equitable participation in this vital environmental endeavor.”