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River Choked: Civic Bodies Blame Each Other
28 Feb
Summary
- PMC accuses PCMC of inadequate water hyacinth clearance on their river side.
- Water hyacinth poses health risks, breeding mosquitoes and threatening aquatic life.
- PMC began its preventive hyacinth removal drive in early February 2026.
Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) has expressed frustration over the persistent issue of water hyacinth accumulation in the river, attributing it to inadequate clearance by the Pimpri-Chinchwad Municipal Corporation (PCMC).
PMC officials state that despite repeated communications, PCMC has not taken sufficient measures, leading to hyacinth buildup that drifts downstream and affects areas like Mundhwa. This unchecked growth, they argue, negates PMC's own removal efforts and necessitates a coordinated approach.
Water hyacinth, when left unmanaged, forms dense mats that obstruct water flow and create stagnant conditions. Health authorities warn that these stagnant areas are ideal breeding grounds for mosquitoes, increasing the risk of vector-borne diseases such as dengue and malaria. Furthermore, the vegetation depletes dissolved oxygen, harming aquatic ecosystems and causing unpleasant odors for residents.
As part of its annual preventive measures ahead of the monsoon, PMC commenced its hyacinth removal drive in the first week of February 2026. However, officials emphasize that isolated clearance provides only temporary relief due to the weed's rapid growth. The Baby Canal in Hadapsar has also been cleared by PMC. PMC plans to expand its removal efforts to other water bodies in the coming weeks.
