Mumbai: The Maharashtra Pollution Control Board (MPCB) has rapped four municipal bodies in Ulhasnagar, Kalyan-Dombivali, Ambernath and Kulgaon-Badlapur regarding pollution in Ulhas and Waldhuni river.
The MPCB stated that despite the Supreme Court order, the civic bodies have failed to comply with directions to improve the condition of the river stretches in these areas, following which these municipal bodies were issued notices last week.
Residents of Ambernath have stated that industrial units continue to release untreated effluents into the river, which has turned its water black and red at certain times.
While the MPCB officials claim that the jeans washing units that were found to be releasing polluted water into the river have been shut down, residents allege that such units are still operating secretly.
“The directions of Supreme Court are not being implemented effectively as the untreated chemical effluents are still released into the water. We had also found an MIDC pipeline newly laid inside the Waldhuni river. We have complained to the authorities, however no action has been taken so far,” said Satyajit Burman, member of Ambernath citizens forum.
Meanwhile the MPCB stated that the civic bodies have been directed to implement the directions by the Supreme Court immediately. “The Ambernath municipal council has not diverted the sewer lines that have been releasing polluted water into the river directly. Moreover, the sewage treatment plants have been completely set up along the Ulhas river stretch,” said an MPCB official.
“We have already cracked down the jeans washing units along the river. The electricity and water supply of these units have been stopped following the MPCB directions,” said D.B. Patil, regional officer, Maharashtra Pollution Control Board.
Earlier in November 2017, The Supreme Court had directed the state to disburse Rs 100 crore for restoration of the Ulhas and Waldhuni rivers, which have been allegedly polluted due to the discharge of hazardous chemical by local industrial units.
