Mid-day impact: Maharashtra's Pimpri-Chinchwad civic body cracks down on units polluting Pavana river

A Pimpri-Chinchwad Municipal Corporation squad in the midst of a crackdown. Pics/By Special Arrangement

Acting swiftly after mid-day shed light on rising pollution in the Pavana river, the Pimpri-Chinchwad Municipal Corporation (PCMC) has launched an aggressive crackdown on units responsible for untreated effluent discharge.

The move follows fresh sightings of thick, toxic foam near the Kejudevi (Kejubai) Barrage at the Thergaon Boat Club stretch, an incident that once again exposed severe contamination in the city's primary drinking water source, as highlighted in a mid-day.com report headlined ‘Pavana river covered in toxic foam again; Environmentalists raise concern'.

The froth, first reported by mid-day, triggered widespread concern among residents and environmental groups, who criticised authorities for inaction despite repeated complaints and earlier coverage. The latest episode also came just days after MP Shrirang Barne directed officials to take urgent measures to stop pollution in the river.

One of the dry cleaning units found responsible for contaminating the Pavana river

Responding to public pressure, PCMC's environment department deployed its nuisance detection teams across the Tathawade, Punawale, Walhekarwadi, and Ravet localities where the river water contamination were reported. The officials confirmed that a large-scale survey is now underway to identify unauthorised and illegally operating small-scale industrial and commercial establishments releasing wastewater into the river system.

A statement released by the civic authority revealed that during these inspections, multiple violators were booked. Rukhsana Dry Cleaners in Walhekarwadi was sealed on November 22 for releasing untreated effluents into the drainage network leading to the river. Earlier rounds of the crackdown had already led to the sealing of two more laundry and dry-cleaning units in Tathawade and Walhekarwadi, with criminal cases registered against their owners.

The enforcement drive has also uncovered rampant illegal dumping and landfilling in the Pavana riverbed across Ravet, Kalewadi, and Pimpele Gurav. Cases have been filed against eight landowners and three vehicle drivers involved in the activity, officials said. Penalties amounting to nearly R30 lakh have been recovered so far from vehicles engaged in unauthorised landfilling.

Past investigations had revealed that chemical-heavy industrial wastewater and untreated sewage released upstream were the primary triggers of recurring foaming incidents. Despite previous penalties, the problem has continued to resurface until the latest crackdown intensified following mid-day's report.

Official Speak

PCMC Chief Engineer Sanjay Kulkarni said, "A comprehensive survey is in progress through the nuisance detection teams, and immediate action is being taken against individuals and establishments polluting the river. Units discharging untreated wastewater or waste into the river are being fined, sealed and prosecuted. The corporation will further scale up enforcement, and the environment department is fully committed to controlling pollution in the Pavana river."