As the highly anticipated Palkhi Ceremony approaches in Pune District, concerns are mounting over the severe pollution in the Indrayani River in Alandi. This morning, residents noticed high levels of pollution, with foam visible near the river basin close to the Shree Sant Dnyaneshwar Maharaj Samadhi Mandir, a popular bathing spot for Warkaris. Just days ago, the trustees of Alandi had issued a warning about a potential protest regarding this issue.
The pollution in the Indrayani River has been a long-standing problem, with efforts from authorities falling short of effectively addressing the issue. Despite promises from Chief Minister Eknath Shinde to clean up the river, visible improvements have yet to be seen. The river, often covered in foam indicating chemical pollution, remains in a critical state just days before the departure of Sant Dnyaneshwar Maharaj’s Palkhi on June 29th.
The trustees of Alandi have expressed growing frustration over the ongoing pollution issue, bringing it up in multiple meetings with the Collector and sending letters to the Pune Metropolitan Region Development Authority (PMRDA) and the Pimpri-Chinchwad Municipal Corporation (PCMC). They claim that the administration is turning a blind eye to their concerns.
Reports suggest that the pollution in the Indrayani River is a result of untreated sewage, industrial discharges, improper waste disposal, agricultural and urban runoff, and encroachments. Poor infrastructure and weak enforcement of regulations worsen the problem, leading to health problems, ecological disruptions, and threats to cultural heritage. Despite directives to stop sewage discharge and improve wastewater management, the pollution persists. The lack of coordination and finger-pointing between the PCMC, PMRDA, and Alandi Municipal Council further complicate finding effective solutions, leaving residents to bear the brunt of the consequences. As the river flows through Alandi, it hits an embankment, and the polluted water creates a white foam as it cascades down, underscoring the gravity of the pollution issue.
Efforts to gather information on pollution prevention measures ahead of the Palkhi Sohla were unsuccessful, as Kailas Kendre, CEO of Alandi Municipal Council, could not be reached for comment.
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