Pimpri-Chinchwad’s rivers face severe pollution from industrial waste and sewage. Pawana is the most affected. Despite alarming findings, authorities prioritize beautification over purification, drawing strong criticism from environmental experts.
Pimpri-Chinchwad | August 8, 2025: The Pawana, Mula, and Indrayani rivers — once vital lifelines of the industrial city — are now facing severe pollution, with conditions deteriorating rapidly due to untreated sewage and industrial waste. A recent report by the Pollution Control Board and the Municipal Corporation has confirmed that these rivers are being contaminated by direct discharge of chemical-laden wastewater and city drains.
Among the three, the 24.4-kilometre-long Pawana River has emerged as the most polluted. Seasonal tests conducted at 25 locations on Pawana, 12 on Indrayani, and 10 on Mula revealed alarmingly high levels of pollutants in all three water bodies. The findings indicate that chemical waste, combined with untreated domestic sewage, is flowing unchecked into these rivers throughout the year — summer, monsoon, and winter alike.
According to the report, the Pawana is burdened mainly by city drains and untreated sewage. Meanwhile, the Indrayani — which passes through industrial zones — shows an increased presence of toxic chemicals. The Mula, although shorter in length, is not immune to contamination either.
Despite these findings, the Pimpri-Chinchwad Municipal Corporation (PCMC) has reportedly taken little concrete action toward river purification. Environmentalists have criticized the civic body for focusing on river beautification projects instead of implementing robust pollution-control measures.
“Instead of preventing pollution at the source, the rivers are being turned into ‘sewage gangas’,” said environmental expert Dhananjay Shendbale. He has called for immediate and scientifically planned efforts to revive the rivers before they become ecological dead zones.
With the situation worsening, environmentalists and citizens alike are demanding urgent government intervention to restore these rivers to their natural state and protect public health and biodiversity.
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