Nashik Environmentalists Sound Alarm Over Godavari River Pollution Crisis
Environmental activists in Nashik issued a stark warning on Friday, demanding that the Nashik Municipal Corporation (NMC) implement immediate and decisive measures to stop the continuous flow of untreated sewage into the sacred Godavari River. The activists emphasized that the ongoing pollution is causing significant damage to the river's ecological health while creating serious public health hazards for communities that depend on its waters.
Sub-Committee Meeting Highlights Critical Pollution Sources
The urgent plea was presented during a crucial meeting of the NMC's specialized sub-committee, which was specifically established to address the persistent pollution problems plaguing the Godavari River and to evaluate existing corrective strategies. During the session, environmental representatives revealed that thousands of liters of untreated sewage are entering the river system at numerous discharge points scattered throughout the urban landscape of Nashik.
Rajesh Pandit, who serves as the petitioner in a significant Public Interest Litigation (PIL) concerning Godavari pollution currently pending before the Bombay High Court, provided detailed testimony to the committee members. He explained that severely clogged sewer lines located near the sensitive Agar Takli riverbank area had forced NMC's sewerage department to take drastic action—breaking open critical pipelines and deliberately redirecting untreated sewage directly into the river channel.
Anandvalli Nullah Identified as Major Pollution Contributor
Environmental experts specifically highlighted the Anandvalli nullah as one of the most problematic pollution sources, where raw sewage flows unimpeded into the Godavari River without any treatment whatsoever. This uncontrolled discharge has resulted in persistent foul odors permeating the surrounding areas and visible deterioration of water quality that can be observed with the naked eye. The activists stressed that such conditions not only harm aquatic life but also compromise the river's usability for religious, agricultural, and domestic purposes.
Municipal Response and Implementation Timeline
Additional Municipal Commissioner Karishma Nair responded to the concerns by directing relevant municipal departments to execute corrective measures within a strict two-month timeframe. She emphasized the civic body's commitment to ensuring that no untreated sewage enters the Godavari River moving forward. Commissioner Nair confirmed that multiple intervention measures are already underway, with the NMC establishing an ambitious target to completely eliminate sewage mixing at all identified discharge locations by May 2027.
Nair further elaborated on infrastructure improvements, noting that comprehensive upgrades to Nashik's aging Sewage Treatment Plants (STPs) are currently in progress. Approximately 37% of this critical rehabilitation work has already been completed, with the fully revamped treatment facilities expected to become completely operational by the May 2027 deadline. These upgraded STPs are designed to significantly increase the municipality's capacity to properly treat wastewater before it reaches the river system.
Infrastructure Gaps in Industrial Areas
During the meeting, environmental advocates also raised serious concerns about the complete absence of a proper sewer network in the Satpur and Ambad MIDC industrial estates that fall within NMC's jurisdictional boundaries. Municipal officials acknowledged this infrastructure deficiency and revealed that the civic body has formally requested funding from the Maharashtra Industrial Development Corporation (MIDC) specifically for laying essential sewer lines in these industrial zones.
However, the corporation has raised several technical queries regarding the proposed sewer network project, which NMC representatives are currently addressing through detailed responses and revised proposals. The resolution of this funding and technical approval process is considered crucial for extending proper sewage management to these industrial areas and preventing future pollution from these sources.
The environmentalists concluded their presentation by stressing that the Godavari River's deteriorating condition requires immediate intervention rather than delayed solutions, noting that the river's health directly impacts millions of people who live along its banks and depend on its waters for their daily needs and cultural practices.
