Pune: NGT Directs Fresh Affidavits on Indrayani River Pollution

The National Green Tribunal (NGT) bench in Pune has ordered the Pune Metropolitan Region Development Authority (PMRDA) and the Maharashtra Pollution Control Board (MPCB) to submit fresh affidavits within two weeks regarding the discharge of industrial effluents into the Indrayani River. The bench, comprising Justice Dinesh Kumar Singh and expert member Vijay Kulkarni, expressed concerns about conflicting information provided by PMRDA and MPCB.

The NGT’s directive follows a suo motu proceeding initiated from a newspaper report dated February 12, which highlighted toxic foam floating on the river. In addition to PMRDA and MPCB, the tribunal has also directed its registry to include several local bodies as respondents. These include the Lonavala Municipal Council, Wadgaon Nagar Panchayat, Talegaon Dabhade Municipal Council, Dehu Road Cantonment Board, Dehu Nagar Panchayat, Pimpri Chinchwad Municipal Corporation (PCMC), and Alandi Municipal Council. These entities are required to file their reply affidavits within four weeks.

An MPCB report submitted on May 24 revealed that out of the 168.2 million liters per day (MLD) of domestic sewage generated along the river stretch, only 93.9 MLD is treated. This leaves 67.3 MLD untreated, with 62.65 MLD discharged into the river. PCMC contributes 32.68 MLD of this discharge. The report identified inadequate drainage networks and insufficient treatment facilities as major pollution factors.

The PMRDA’s lawyer informed the bench of letters sent to PCMC and MIDC requesting measures to curb pollution. However, discrepancies in information led to the NGT’s demand for clarity. PMRDA also reported that a detailed project report costing Rs 583.23 crore for river conservation is awaiting approval from the central government.