Nagpur: In a damning revelation, the Maharashtra Government has ordered a high-level probe after discovering that 11 of Nagpur’s 13 Sewage Treatment Plants (STPs) have been lying defunct, allowing millions of litres of raw, filthy sewage to flow unchecked into the Nag River, contaminating the Wainganga and threatening the Gosikhurd project.
Environment Minister Pankaja Munde, responding in the Legislative Council, announced the formation of a three-member inquiry committee to expose why the STPs, built at huge public cost to keep untreated waste out of the river, were allowed to rot. The committee will also recommend urgent corrective steps, with its report to be tabled in the next legislative session.
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The shocking negligence came to light through a Calling Attention Motion raised by MLC Parinay Fuke, who warned that the nonstop discharge of untreated sewage has now poisoned the Wainganga, whose waters are supplied to Bhandara and Gondia villages for drinking.
“Not once has the administration conducted a serious assessment of this polluted water being supplied to thousands,” Fuke slammed. He further warned that the same toxic water is being used for irrigation in Chandrapur and Gadchiroli, posing long-term dangers to public health, crops, and soil. With the proposed Wainganga-Nalganga river-link project, he cautioned that towns such as Narkhed and Katol could soon be exposed to this contaminated flow if the crisis is ignored.
Accusing the environment department of providing misleading and incomplete information, Fuke demanded strict action against NMC officials. “Repeated complaints have fallen on deaf ears. If needed, penalise NMC or initiate action against the Municipal Commissioner,” he demanded.
Munde acknowledged the gravity of the situation, stating that all 13 STPs were created precisely to stop raw sewage from entering the Nag River. She cited the Rs 1,900-crore JICA-funded project aimed at cleaning the river, including a 203-km underground sewage network, whose tendering is nearing completion. She said the project is being monitored directly by the Chief Minister and Union Minister Nitin Gadkari, with international experts engaged.
Nagpur generates 520 MLD of sewage daily. While NMC claims it treats 380 MLD, nearly 80 MLD of treated water is still dumped back into the Nag River, worsening downstream contamination, including the Gosikhurd reservoir. Critics call this not only an environmental failure but also a colossal waste of public money, especially since 300 MLD of treated water is sold to Koradi and Khaparkheda power plants.
Meanwhile, the Nagpur Improvement Trust (NIT) treats 63.5 MLD, which also ends up in the river, adding to the toxic flow.
With 11 STPs non-functional, experts warn that Nagpur’s river system is effectively running on raw sewage, exposing lakhs of people across Vidarbha to polluted water and long-term health risks.
