MPCB directs PMC to fix sewage treatment issues in six months

Pune: The Maharashtra Pollution Control Board (MPCB) has directed PMC to ensure full sewage treatment capacity within six months and achieve 100% sewer network coverage within four months.In a notice to PMC dated March 27, MPCB flagged lapses in sewage treatment and river pollution in the city. The regulator observed that Pune has been generating around 980 million liters a day (MLD) of sewage, of which nearly 500 MLD was being discharged untreated into the Mula and Mutha rivers through multiple nullahs.The pollution body has asked the civic body to intercept major drains, stop direct discharge into rivers, and submit a time-bound action plan. It has also directed PMC to bring air pollution under control. The civic was directed to prepare project evaluation review technique indicating timeline for completion of ongoing work and short- and long-term remidial action for major nallas.Additionally, MPCB directed the municipal body to take steps to improve solid waste management infrastructure and to improve number of collection vehicles, manpower and set up efficient door-to-door collections."During a review by MPCB, it was observed that the untreated sewage was discharged into 10 major nallas resulting in continuous pollution of the river," Babasaheb Kukade, Pune regional officer, MPCB, said.PMC has 10 sewage treatment plants of a total capacity of 537 MLD. Of these Bhairoba STP and New Naidu STP have capacity of 130 MLD and 115 MLD, respectively. It has plans to set up 11 new STPs having total capacity of 396 MLD, as per information in PMC's environment status report for 2024-25. Furthermore, PMC aims to set up STPs for the 11 new villages with capacity of 106 MLD and one in Ramtekdi of 10 MLD.