Toxic foam engulfs Indrayani River in Pune

PUNE: Local residents in the temple town of Alandi were alarmed after they saw thick layer of toxic foam on the surface of the Indrayani River, the water from which they use for drinking and domestic purposes. According to citizens, the water being supplied by the Alandi Municipal Corporation (AMC) is contaminated due to polluting effluents being released directly into the river water by industries operating in the Pimpri Chinchwad Municipal Corporation (PCMC) limits.

While blaming the council for alleged incompetency in keeping the water quality of the river in check, the residents went on to say that use of water for any purpose is harmful and potentially lethal. An AMC official from the engineering department said that the water contamination level of the river is extremely high and the officials have to maintain the plant for atleast four to five times a year, which is a time consuming process.

Nitin Shinde, Sub –regional officer, Maharashtra Pollution Control Board (MPCB) said, “In the past, we have stopped industrial discharge from PCMC areas into the river, but we still survey the industrial zone afresh to find out the source, if any.” He added that it could also be a possibility that the source of the toxic foam are some housing societies in Moshi and other villages along the river releasing sewage water directly into the river.

Vaijayanta Umargekar, President, AMC said that this is a recurring problem and the PCMC and MPCB need to act tough and look into a permanent solution for the problem at hand since the town of Alandi has no other source of water.