The Maharashtra Pollution Control Board (MPCB) Pune on Wednesday issued proposed directions to the Lonavala Municipal Council (LMC) for alleged pollution of the Indrayani and Ulhas rivers. The sub-regional officer of the MPCB issued proposed directions to the LMC as per the provisions of the Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act 1974.
During a recent inspection, carried out on November 8, MPCB officials discovered that the council’s sewage treatment plant was non-functional. As a result, untreated sewage was being discharged into drains, eventually merging with the Indrayani and Ulhas rivers, causing extensive water pollution.
The MPCB also noted that the council had not established a dedicated electricity connection for the STP, further hindering its operations. The discharge of untreated sewage from multiple drains has exacerbated pollution in the region.
In its notice, the MPCB emphasized that treating sewage is a legal obligation under the National Green Tribunal’s (NGT) directives. Additionally, sewage in the Dongargaon nullah was found untreated. It was also noted that the LMC had not provided the STP with adequate capacity.
JS Salunkhe, regional officer of MPCB Pune, said, “The council has been given 15 days to respond, failing which, punitive action will be initiated.”
Ashok Sabale, chief executive officer of LMC, said, “The notice has not just been given to us; it has been given to the other councils as well. We have one functional STP, and there are nine decentralized STPs under Pune Metropolitan Region Development Authority (PMRDA) that will be installed after the audit done by IIT Roorkee. The new STP will solve the issue of treating the sewage.”
