Hinjewadi STPs Under Fire: Joint Crackdown Looms

Authorities in Hinjewadi are intensifying efforts to tackle improper sewage disposal by housing and commercial complexes. The Maharashtra Industrial Development Corporation (MIDC) and the Maharashtra Pollution Control Board (MPCB) will conduct joint inspections to ensure Sewage Treatment Plants (STPs) are operating correctly. This crackdown follows numerous complaints about persistent foul odors and blocked underground storm-water pipes, which impede the drainage system designed to prevent monsoon flooding.

Officials have noted an increase in facilities failing to treat sewage adequately. Recent notices have been served to several companies in the Hinjewadi IT Park, particularly in Phase 2, an area prone to waterlogging. The MPCB has affirmed its readiness for strict enforcement, noting that while some entities have begun corrective actions, joint enforcement remains an option. Discoveries during maintenance revealed instances of untreated sewage being illegally discharged into ducts reserved for rainwater, presenting significant public health and environmental concerns.

To address issues with establishments outside its direct jurisdiction, MIDC has requested assistance from the Pune Metropolitan Region Development Authority (PMRDA). The ongoing pollution and drainage problems highlight the urgent need for regulatory compliance to protect public health and infrastructure in the industrial township.