Environment Minister Pankaja Munde on Wednesday informed the legislative council that an action plan for river rejuvenation programme in Maharashtra will be prepared soon and division-wise review meetings will be held to discuss the plan focusing on 56 polluted rivers in the state.
Ranjitsinh Mohite-Patil of BJP had raised a starred question on what measures the state government is taking to prevent water pollution in the state’s rivers. The members also raised a question on what action has been taken against companies that pollute water, stating that 311 out of 6,033 rivers in the state are polluted according to the report of the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB).
Mohite-Patil pointed out that 9758.53 MLD of sewage is generated by 391 local bodies in the state. Out of this, only 7,747.24 MLD of sewage is treated and the remaining water is released into the river without treatment.
Munde said that an action plan for the river revitalisation programme will be prepared. “According to the Central Government’s National Water Quality Measurement System, a total of 603 rivers in the country are regularly surveyed. According to the report published in 2022, 56 rivers in the state were included in the polluted river list. Also, only 50 percent of the sewage discharged into the rivers from local bodies in the state is treated and discharged. Division-wise meetings will be held after classifying the rivers regarding polluted rivers and sewage treatment,” said Munde.
She added that a monitoring committee has been formed to control water pollution and suggest measures. “Through this, a proposal will be sent to the Chief Minister to increase the powers. He also announced that a model programme will be undertaken in Maharashtra for river revitalisation,” she said.
She maintained that the sewage from industries should be discharged into rivers and canals after being processed. “Therefore, we will discuss with the industries department and find a way out. Nag, Mula, Mutha and Chandrabhaga river revitalisation projects have been undertaken. Some local self-government bodies have been lax in setting up sewage treatment projects. Therefore, a monitoring committee has been formed to control it,” she added.
