2 weeks Ago By Aditi Shekhar
Pune: The National Green Tribunal's western bench in Pune has sought replies from the district collector of Pune, Pune Metropolitan Region Development Authority (PMRDA) and other govt agencies about discharge of untreated sewage into the Bhima river near Rajgurunagar. The direction was issued after local resident Vishwajit Ramchandra Dixit filed an application against the Maharashtra Pollution Control Board , ministry of forests, environment and climate change, Rajgurunagar Municipal Council, Satkarsthal gram panchayat, PMRDA and Pune district collector. In his application, Dixit said untreated sewage and wastewater from 80 flats and 26 bungalow projects in the surrounding area of his farmland were contaminating the Bhima river.
"An estimated 10,00,000 litres of sewage is generated...
and is said to flow towards the plot of the applicant, causing damage...
the same gets discharged into the Bhima river," he said. He urged the tribunal that a direction be issued to PMRDA to set up at least one sewage treatment plant of 1 MLD capacity in the area. The bench of justice Dinesh Kumar Singh and expert member Vijay Kulkarni said, "In view of the above, we find a prima facie case adversely impacting the environment is made out; therefore, we deem it appropriate to admit this application.
" The bench issued notices to all respondents mentioned to file replies within four weeks. The next hearing is scheduled on April 29..
