Activists warn of water crisis

Untreated sewage, ignored MPCB orders put Pune at risk of Indore-like contamination, say activists

- Indu Bhagat

Despite repeated directions from the Maharashtra Pollution Control Board (MPCB), the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) has failed to take concrete action to curb river pollution, raising serious concerns over public health and environmental safety, environmental activists alleged on Thursday.

According to the activists, PMC has been treating only 30% to 40% of the city's sewage for several decades, while the remaining untreated sewage is being discharged directly into rivers. In this context, on Feb 14, 2019, the MPCB directed the PMC Commissioner to open a separate bank account within seven days and deposit Rs34.70 lakh daily for remediation and pollution control measures to be undertaken in consultation with the board.