Nashik. The Maharashtra government has taken a strict stand to protect the Godavari river and its tributaries from pollution. Chief Secretary Rajesh Agarwal has directed the Maharashtra Pollution Control Board (MPCB) to take stern action against industrial units that are discharging untreated or partially treated industrial waste into the river. He has also asked that accountability be fixed for industries violating pollution-control norms as well as for responsible officials.
Directions for inspection and raids on industrial units were issued during a review meeting held on November 4 at Mantralaya in Mumbai. The Chief Secretary directed the MPCB to collect water samples from the Godavari, the Nandini river, local drains and suspected industrial discharge points. These samples will be scientifically tested to identify the sources and levels of pollution. Suspected industrial units will be inspected and, if required, raided. If violations of rules are proved, action may range from imposing fines to shutting down units.
Action will also be taken against negligent officials. The Chief Secretary has asked that responsibility be fixed for officials who failed to ensure compliance with Zero Liquid Discharge (ZLD) norms. If found guilty, departmental action will be initiated against the officials concerned and, where necessary, the process of suspension will be followed. The Maharashtra Industrial Development Corporation (MIDC) has also been asked to examine how polluting units were allowed to operate in industrial areas.
The meeting also discussed a plan to develop a sewage treatment plant and sewer network for the Ambad and Satpur industrial areas of Nashik. The estimated cost of this project is around Rs 250 crore. According to the proposal, MIDC will bear two-thirds of the cost and the Nashik Municipal Corporation one-third.
In view of the Simhastha Kumbh Mela proposed in 2027, cleaning the Godavari is being treated as a priority. Four new large sewage treatment plants are being built in Nashik and one existing plant is being upgraded. The target is to complete these projects by March 2027. The administration’s objective is to improve the quality of the river water before the Kumbh Mela and establish effective control over sources of pollution.
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