Survey reveals polluted nullahs getting directly mixed into Panchaganga River

Kolhapur: Officials from the Maharashtra Pollution Control Board (MPCB) and the Kolhapur Municipal Corporation (KMC) conducted a joint survey of the water pollution in the Panchaganga River on Monday.Dilip Desai, social activist from Prajasattak Samajik Sewa Sanstha, said, “Due to the negligence of the civic body, sewage, plastic, and municipal solid waste are seen getting mixed from various nullahs directly into the river.”Through the joint survey, it was revealed that at Dudhali area, the 17 MLD STP plant was operational. However, as the sewage flow was over the capacity, a large amount of untreated sewage had mixed into the Panchaganga river. Along with this, Jayanti nullah, CPR nullah, and Siddharth Nagar nullah were seen overflowing and getting directly mixed into the Panchaganga River. A similar situation was observed at Rajhans nullah and Ramanmala nullah.At Rajaram barrage, black-coloured sewage coming from Chhatrapati colony was found to have a foul odour, plastic waste, solid waste, and clothes in it, getting mixed into the Panchaganga River. At the nullah at the brick kiln near the Tawde hotel entrance of Kolhapur city, sewage, plastic, and municipal solid waste were seen getting mixed into the river water.Ankush Patil, Regional Officer, MPCB, said, “The survey was carried out from 10 am to 4:30 pm on Monday. It was found that all the sewage from the nullahs flowing from the city is getting mixed with the river waters along with plastic, clothes, floating objects, and other municipal solid waste. Samples have been collected from various places, and upon the arrival of reports, further action will be initiated.”