Amidst the rising Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS) cases in Pune, The Free Press Journal, in its sting operation, discovered that shops near Khadakwasla Dam and those in the Defence Institute of Advanced Technology (DIAT) campus are allegedly releasing untreated sewage water directly into the dam.
The region around Khadakwasla Dam has seen significant development recently. There are apartment complexes, hotels, resorts and farmhouses close to the dam. However, the untreated sewage water from these establishments is being directly released into the dam, thereby contaminating it. As a result, the locals are calling on the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) to set up a sewage water treatment plant (STP) in the area.
Shivaji Mate, Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) transport division president, Pune City, said, "The stretch starting from Khadakwalsla to Panshet provides water to the entire city, but the farmhouses, restaurants, DIAT, and other establishments are releasing untreated water directly into the dam. The untreated sewage water from all the houses is also being directly released into the dam because there is no system to filter it out. This is contributing to contamination and water pollution. The food vendors also dump their garbage near the dam and, to get rid of it, they also burn it. We demand the civic authorities to install a sewage treatment plant (STP)."
Bhausahe Gulab Pokale, a businessman, added, "The 28 villages in this region release untreated water into this dam. There was an organisation named 'Green Thumb' which was run by retired colonel Suresh Patel, who did great work here at Khadakwalsla. He filled the uneven land with soil to increase the storage capacity and also made a garden to stop any kind of pollution, but unfortunately, he did not receive any aid from the government. He was not even appreciated for his efforts, and today, you can see the condition of this dam. The garbage is being littered here, the water is polluted and the GBS outbreak has revealed how unhealthy and unfit the water is that residents are getting despite paying heavy taxes."
Gokul Raykar, a resident of Dhyari, further said, "The outbreak of GBS has created a sense of fear. Due to this, we are purchasing water from RO water suppliers, but even they are using water from these dams, and I feel if the source of the water itself is contaminated, what is the point? The source of water should be treated, and the government had promised us that they would provide us with filtered water, but we are getting borewell water. The authorities should also conduct an audit. This entire stretch has 28 outlets which are directly discharging untreated water into dams. The storage capacity in the catchment area should be increased, and security in this place should also be enhanced as this place has reported murders and other illegal activities. And cleanliness is also a big issue here."
Meanwhile, speaking to The Free Press Journal, Khadakwasla project executive engineer SY Kurhade said they are taking action against those releasing untreated sewage water into the dam. "We sent notices to these outlets last week and asked them to stop releasing untreated water into the dam. It is the responsibility of local authorities to install STP plants and manage the drainage system. We have directed the outlets to stop releasing untreated sewage water, and if they don't adhere to it, legal action will be taken against them," he added.
