NGT Probes Mula River Fish Deaths, Sewage Issues

A joint committee, established by the National Green Tribunal (NGT), has commenced an assessment of pollution in the Mula river, addressing recurrent fish kill events and the sufficiency of sewage treatment facilities within the Pune metropolitan region. This inquiry was prompted by an NGT-initiated suo moto case following a September 23, 2024, report highlighting significant fish mortality.

The committee, formed after NGT directions on February 24, 2026, includes members from key departments like the MPCB, Pune Municipal Corporation, and PMRDA. Its first meeting was on May 27, with a field inspection on June 1, where members examined river stretches and sewage systems. Water samples were collected for laboratory analysis.

The committee's mandate, detailed in an MPCB affidavit, includes identifying pollution causes, evaluating the need for new sewage treatment plants (STPs), assessing existing facility performance, estimating mitigation costs, and proposing a river restoration roadmap. As laboratory analysis and data collection are ongoing, the MPCB requested an extended three-week period from the NGT to submit its report.

Repeated fish kill incidents across Pune's water bodies over the past three years have raised alarms about deteriorating water quality. Species like the Deccan mahseer have been found among the deceased. MPCB officials cite untreated sewage, industrial discharge, low dissolved oxygen, and eutrophication as primary causes.