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Godavari River Dead Zone: Alarming Pollution Levels Found
2 Nov
Summary
- Godavari river in Nashik shows alarming pollution with zero dissolved oxygen.
- Lab reports confirm toxic levels exceed permissible limits for aquatic life.
- Pilgrims face health risks as untreated sewage pollutes the sacred river.
The Godavari River in Nashik has reached a critical state of pollution, with alarming findings from the Maharashtra Pollution Control Board (MPCB). Laboratory reports, received on October 19, indicate zero dissolved oxygen (DO) levels at three key locations: the Godavari-Kapila confluence at Tapovan, Takli village, and Nandur Manur ghat.
These critically low DO levels, far below the necessary 3 mg/L, signify an anoxic dead zone where aquatic life cannot survive. The reports also highlighted excessively high biochemical oxygen demand (BOD) levels, with readings of 85 mg/L, 48 mg/L, and 52 mg/L at the tested sites, significantly surpassing the permissible limit of 20 mg/L.
Environmental activist Rajesh Pandit has voiced serious concerns regarding the health risks posed to pilgrims, especially with preparations underway for the Simhastha Kumbh Mela 2026-28. He stated that the river is contaminated with untreated sewage and toxic waste, leading to an urgent court hearing scheduled for November 3 before the Bombay High Court.
In response to the crisis, Nashik Municipal Corporation (NMC) officials are working on constructing four new sewage treatment plants (STPs). These projects aim to increase treatment capacity by 409 million litres per day, adding to the existing 340 MLD. NMC officials are confident that by the project deadline of March 2027, the river's water quality will show significant improvement.
