Nashik civic body sets March 2027 deadline to clean Godavari for Kumbh

Nashik: The civic body has intensified efforts to make the Godavari river pollution-free ahead of the 2027 Simhastha Kumbh Mela, aiming to achieve bathing-quality water standards by March 2027 through a Rs 1,600-crore infrastructure overhaul.In a strategic shift, Nashik Municipal Corporation (NMC) has decided to construct four large, advanced sewage treatment plants (STPs) instead of upgrading ageing units, with a focus on reducing biological oxygen demand (BOD) levels in treated water from the current 20-25 to below 5."About 47% of the work on the new STPs has been completed so far. At present, the treated sewage from existing plants has BOD levels ranging between 20 and 25, which is a major concern," said municipal commissioner Manisha Khatri. "Once the new STPs become functional, the BOD levels will drop below 5," she said.The new STPs are being developed at Tapovan (180MLD), Agartakli (97MLD), Chehedi (64MLD) and Panchak (75MLD), alongside the upgradation of the existing 70MLD plant at Agartakli. The total sewage treatment capacity will increase from 342MLD to 486MLD once the project is completed.Civic officials said the existing three-decade-old STPs are among the main contributors to river pollution, often discharging water exceeding the permissible BOD limit of 10. The new plants, equipped with advanced technology and SCADA-based monitoring systems, aim to ensure consistent compliance with environmental norms.Alongside treatment infrastructure, the NMC is laying new sewer lines along both banks of the river, replacing ageing pipelines and diverting sewage from 21 nullahs to nearby STPs to prevent untreated discharge."This will play a crucial role in making the river pollution-free. We aim to achieve bathing-quality standards before the Kumbh Mela once all works are completed," Khatri said, adding that June 2027 has been set as the final deadline, including trial runs and commissioning.The project also includes the construction of 10 sewage pumping stations and a comprehensive sewer network overhaul to plug gaps in the current system.Officials said constructing new STPs was found to be more cost-effective than upgrading older facilities, while also ensuring better long-term efficiency.The river-cleaning push comes as Nashik prepares for the Simhastha Kumbh Mela, scheduled between 2026 and 2028. The flag-hoisting ceremony will take place on Oct 31, 2026, while the three major Amrit Snans are slated between Aug and Sept 2027.Civic authorities said the initiative is crucial not only for the religious event but also for improving environmental health and restoring the sanctity of the Godavari, a lifeline for the city.