A large number of fish were found dead on a 5 km long stretch of the Patalganga river between Khopoli Municipal Council (KMC) and Savroli village by the Maharashtra Pollution Control Board (MPCB) officials during their inspection following complaints by activists. The MPCB officials have reasoned that no water release from the Tata Power dam coupled with untreated domestic effluent released into the river has resulted in depletion of oxygen level causing the death of the fishes. The MPCB has passed a direction the KMC to take immediate measures.
From the downstream of Patalganga river, water is drawn at Vayal village weir by the Maharashtra Jeevan Pradhikaran and supplied to areas under the Panvel City Municipal Corporation, Cidco’s Karanjade node, Central Railway, MSEDCL and various gram panchayats. Also water is drawn by the MIDC at Lohap village weir further down for supplies to industrial belts around. The untreated domestic effluents from the market area, Gagangiri Nagar, Laxmi Nagar, Shastri Nagar, Bhanvaj, Katrang, Mogalwadi, among other areas are released to the sewage water line and further to the Patalganga river. Locals and activists had also complained to Khalapur tehsildar, Ayub Tamboli.
Activist Arun Nalawade alleged, “The KMC does not have a sewage treatment plant (STP). Majority of the polluted water is discharged from the KMC area while remaining from the villages under gram panchayats. Some other aquatic animals were also killed and found floating on the river water.” The MPCB sub regional officer, Prashant Bhosale said, “Small fishes were killed as the river stretch becomes dry with no release of Tata power dam water on Saturday and Sunday. Domestic effluents are directly released from the KMC area resulting in depletion of oxygen. Water samples of 5 spots tested found no change in its colour and pH (hydrogen ion concentration).” Bhosale added, “The KMC’s 15 MLD capacity STP will be operational by 2025. Meanwhile, the KMC is directed to set up check dams with filtration measures, spraying bleaching powder, undertaking phyto remedial measures, among other measures.”
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