Water Hyacinth Chokes Pune's Rivers & Lakes, Residents Slam PMC For Inaction

Most of the rivers and lakes in Pune are filled with water hyacinth, and the residents are irked by the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC), slamming the civic body for its inaction in removing the water hyacinth.

In Kharadi, dense hyacinth clusters have left residents frustrated as mosquito swarms invade their homes. The situation is the same in Manjari, with local villagers demanding immediate action. In Katraj, the situation remains unchanged, with hyacinth clearly visible in the lake.

A resident took to the social media platform X (formerly Twitter) and wrote, "Bringing to attention the alarming rise of water hyacinth, which causes a severe concern for apparent reasons, as the Indrayani River is seen filled with hyacinth."

Residents in slum areas such as Malwadi, Kunjir Vasti, Vetal Vasti, Rajiv Gandhi Nagar, Satwai Nagar, 116 Gharkul, and 72 Gharkul are suffering from health hazards. Locals are demanding immediate fumigation near riverbanks to prevent disease outbreaks.

Amey Patil, another resident of Warje, said, "We have urged the authorities several times, as it is becoming difficult to live with hyacinth accumulated in the water body. There are mosquitoes, and it's a cause of concern for us and people living nearby."

Meanwhile, speaking to The Free Press Journal, Mangesh Dighe, Environmental Conservation Officer, PMC, said, "The PMC will remove the hyacinth in Manjari and Warje-Malwadi within a few days. But in areas where removal isn’t feasible, some must be diverted through natural water flow."