Pune: NGT Directs Immediate Action Plan To Address Pavana River Pollution; Principal Secretary To Convene Meeting
Pune: NGT Directs Immediate Action Plan To Address Pavana River Pollution; Principal Secretary To Convene Meeting
In response to alarming pollution levels in the Pavana River and in the matter Krunnal Gharre vs PCMC and others, the National Green Tribunal (NGT) has issued a series of urgent directives to curb environmental degradation. The Tribunal stressed the immediate need to implement the River Rejuvenation Committee’s action plan, calling for a high-level meeting under the Principal Secretary, State Environment Department and all relevant parties to establish a clear timeline and secure funding for the plan’s execution.
The Pimpri Chinchwad Municipal Corporation (PCMC) has been instructed to submit a comprehensive report detailing the status of sewage treatment plants (STPs) and sewage pipelines. Meanwhile, the Pune Metropolitan Region Development Authority (PMRDA) has been given a strict two-week deadline to provide details regarding new STPs in the region. The Maharashtra Pollution Control Board (MPCB) has been directed to submit a focused response on the current state of the Pavana River’s pollution.
The Zilla Parishad has been warned of severe consequences, including the potential personal appearance of the Chief Executive Officer, if they fail to ensure adequate representation at the next hearing.
Advocate Krunnal Narayan Gharre, the applicant, emphasized that just focusing on STP is not important but the ancillary infrastructure and maintenance itself can also help reduce pollution. He also stated the importance of both curative and preventive measures in addressing the river’s pollution, highlighting the need to tackle root causes while identifying and resolving immediate low hanging fruits. The next hearing is scheduled for April 2, 2025.
