Despite Centre’s order, Powai lake unclean: NGO complains to MPCB
Not a single drop of sewage is entering Powai lake from our campus. Our sewage is released directly into the main BMC pipeline. SENIOR PROFESSOR, IIT-B
MUMBAI: Irrespective of its inclusion in the National Lake Conservation Plan by the Centre, environmentalist alleged the Powai lake is still plagued by water hyacinth and dumping of untreated sewage.
A complaint was filed with Maharashtra Pollution Control Board (MPCB) and state environment department by Vanashakti, a non-governmental organisation (NGO), on Tuesday.
An MPCB official confirmed they have received a complaint from the NGO.
“We had asked the civic body to submit water quality report in November. But nothing has happened so far. We will follow up the issue,” said YB Sontakke, joint director (water quality), MPCB.
The NGO said its study of the lake revealed uncontrolled growth of water hyacinth and dumping of untreated sewage into the water body from the adjacent residential areas. The study revealed 16 pipes were dumping untreated sewage into the lake.
“Our inspection revealed the primary source of sewage is buildings along Jogeshwari-vikhroli Link Road. Another source of sewage is Indian Institute of Technology Bombay (IIT-B) and slums along the banks,” said Ashwin Aghor, a senior conservation officer who led the survey.
The NGO alleged that a machine purchased by the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) in 2018 to clear water hyacinth has been lying unused at the site.
“It is shocking that the water from the lake is being supplied to Aarey Milk Colony,” said Stalin D, director, Vanashakti.
A senior civic official said hyacinth removing machine belongs to a contractor appointed earlier.
“We have not purchased the machines. To remove hyacinth, we recently floated fresh tenders. The cost of the project is around ₹11 crore. The contract will last for 36 months,” the official added.
While the contracts will be awarded over the next three months, work is likely to begin only after this monsoon, said the BMC official said.
“We have identified areas from where sewage is disposed into the lake and will stop it at the entry point,” the BMC official said.
Mahesh Sharma, minister of state for Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change (MOEFCC) had informed Lok Sabha on December 15, 2018, that chemicals and household sewage flowing into the lake had taken its pollution levels to eight times above safe limit.
“The lake is being used to milk funds for vested interests, with no focus on maintaining water quality. It must be given to the forest department,” alleged Stalin.