As part of the Panvel Municipal Corporation’s (PMC) ambitious Kasardi River Rejuvenation Project, a crucial site inspection today to lay the groundwork for an action-oriented, multi-agency restoration plan was initiated by the panvel municipal corporation.
The initiative targets the revival of the Kasardi River, which flows through the Taloja industrial zone and several nearby villages.
The visit, conducted emphasized an integrated action plan involving pollution control, infrastructure development, and continuous monitoring to restore the river’s ecological balance.
Key Elements of the Rejuvenation Plan:
1. Wastewater Monitoring and Control:
Companies discharging untreated chemical-laced water into the river will be strictly monitored. MPCB has been tasked with screening wastewater inflows and taking immediate action against violators, especially those using tankers for illegal dumping at key locations such as Ganesh Ghat and Tondre.
2. Infrastructure Development:
To control pollution spread and support water retention:
A series of check dams will be constructed at Ganesh Ghat and Tondre.
Gabion walls will be built near Kaprechaarya Temple and Navade to prevent river water intrusion into villages during high tide.
3. Effluent Treatment Measures:
Chemical-contaminated water from the Kasardi River is proposed to be diverted to the CETP (Common Effluent Treatment Plant) for proper treatment. The MIDC has been directed to manage and penalize unauthorized waste-discharging tankers along industrial routes.
4. Restoration of Natural Flow:
The PMC will identify and clear obstructions from the riverbed to ensure free flow, particularly in the dry season. Flood line mapping of the river will be carried out to support future planning and prevent encroachments.
5. Action Against Illegal Construction:
The Water Resources Department has been instructed to demolish unauthorized structures in the riverbed, particularly in the Ganesh Ghat and Tondre areas.
6. Technological Surveillance:
To curb illegal discharge of effluents, MPCB has been directed to install solar-powered CCTV cameras along the river at identified hotspots for continuous monitoring.
" This comprehensive plan reflects the PMC’s commitment to long-term ecological restoration, emphasizing inter-agency coordination and timely execution," said an official .
Additional Commissioner Ganesh Shete instructed all departments to adhere to strict deadlines and submit progress reports as the project moves into the implementation phase.
The inspection marks a pivotal step toward reversing decades of pollution and neglect, with clear directives now in place to ensure accountability and measurable outcomes.
