Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar: Municipal Commissioner Amol Yedage on Tuesday ordered the immediate removal of all encroachments from the Sukhna riverbed. He also announced a large-scale tree plantation drive along the riverbanks on June 5, World Environment Day, to accelerate the Sukhna river rejuvenation project.
On-Site Inspection and Directives
The directives were issued during an on-site inspection of the ongoing rejuvenation works. Emphasising the need to restore the river's natural flow, Yedage instructed officials to clear all obstructions and illegal structures from the river channel without delay. He stated that encroachments were severely hampering the project's progress.
Action Against Pollution
The commissioner of the Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar Municipal Corporation also expressed strong displeasure over the discharge of foul-smelling water into the river. He directed officials to immediately trace the source of the polluted inflow and take corrective action. "If industrial units are found to be responsible, coordination with the Maharashtra Pollution Control Board should be ensured for strict enforcement," he said.
Yedage further ordered action against residents found directly releasing drainage water into the riverbed, calling it a major contributor to pollution and ecological degradation. He instructed officials to promptly seal such discharge points and prevent untreated sewage from entering the river.
Ecological Restoration and Plantation Drive
Highlighting the importance of ecological restoration, the municipal commissioner directed that a massive plantation drive be carried out along the riverbanks on June 5 to improve green cover, stabilise the banks and strengthen the local ecosystem.
The inspection was attended by city engineer Sanjay Kombde, Sukhna river rejuvenation project head Vijay Patil, deputy commissioner and solid waste management head Nandkishor Bhombe, deputy commissioner (encroachment removal) Savita Sonawane, and special officer Jaywant Kulkarni.
