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Pashan Lake Fish Kill Prompts Sewage Diversion Plan
16 Apr
Summary
- Sewage will be diverted to a larger Baner STP with 25 MLD capacity.
- Untreated water discharge into the lake is estimated at 10 to 12 MLD.
- Four civic officials were suspended after the recent mass fish kill.
Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) has announced a new initiative to address the severe pollution affecting Pashan Lake. This plan involves diverting sewage away from the water body through a newly constructed pipeline directed to the Baner Sewage Treatment Plant (STP). The Baner facility boasts a substantial capacity of 25 MLD, a significant increase compared to the current inadequate STP near Pashan Lake, which can only process 1 MLD.
This decisive action comes a week after a major fish kill incident at Pashan Lake, which led to the suspension of four civic officials. Local residents have highlighted that the lake has become a dumping ground for untreated waste from various sources, including private companies and housing societies, contributing to an estimated discharge of 10 to 12 MLD of untreated water daily. The PMC aims to have the diversion system operational before the upcoming monsoon season.
The PMC's sewage department chief engineer confirmed that treatment by June is expected to drastically cut down the untreated sewage entering the lake. This move is a direct response to the environmental crisis, which also saw disciplinary actions, including show-cause notices, issued to officials for dereliction of duty in maintaining and monitoring the lake.
