PMC to cough up Rs 507 crore penalty for waste discharge

PUNE: The state irrigation department’s Khadakwasla circle has asked the Pune Municipal Corporation to pay Rs 507 crore for lifting extra water as well as releasing sewage into the Mula and Mutha rivers and the irrigation canals.
The department has written a letter to the civic body asking for the collective penalty. Officials said the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) is expected to make arrangements to treat the sewage and release only clean water in the rivers.
Meanwhile, the letter has been issued in consultation with the Maharashtra Pollution Control Board (MPCB).
Vijay Patil, executive engineer, Khadakwasla irrigation circle, said, "We sent a letter to the PMC last month. As per the state government and MPCB directives, there is a provision to impose a penalty in case of release of untreated sewage. We are awaiting a response from them. The penalty is calculated based on the annual water charges. Details have been shared with the civic body.” It may be noted that the PMC lifts water from the Khadakwasla dam.
Meanwhile, civic activists have been demanding that PMC take measures to stop the release of sewage into the rivers. “The civic body is supposed to release treated water in the rivers and irrigation canal,” activist Vivek Velanakar said.
PMC officials held that the administration was working to increase its sewage treatment capacity. An official said, “Work on the Mula-Mutha pollution abatement programme has already started. The project aims to increase sewage treatment capacity by 396 MLD, with the setting up of 11 sewage treatment plans. The details of this project will be shared with the state irrigation department and with the MPCB. The PMC will seek further guidance from the Maharashtra Water Resources Regulatory Authority.”
Another official said, “The issue requires more discussion. We will put up all relevant details before the irrigation department and other authorities. The pollution abatement project has been taken up for execution and the administration is looking forward to completing the works within the deadline.”