The state government is considering setting up a facility for treating the polluted water of river Mithi before releasing it to the Arabian Sea. The facility will be established at the mouth of the river, three-kilometres before it meets the Arabian Sea. State environment minister Ramdas Kadam declared in the legislative Assembly on Monday that the government had identified 103 locations where pollutants are being added into river.
Mr Kadam was responding to the complaints of the large-scale pollution along the Mumbai coast. The issue was raised by Shiv Sena legislator Prakash Fatarphekar. The legislator said that the level of air pollution in Chembur had increased drastically owing to the number of companies in the vicinity. Also, BJP legislator Atul Bhatkalkar said that river Mithi was also facing a similar situation and the government needed to pay attention to it immediately.
Replying to this, the environment minister admitted that there were around 103 spots on the entire stretch of the river from where the polluted water was getting mixed with the river water. “Knowing that it is difficult to block these openings, the government is considering setting up a treatment plant on the river, 3 km before it meets the Arabian sea. This will prevent the polluted water from being released into the sea,” said Mr Kadam.
He also said that the government had already constructed a 12-km long compound wall along the length with of the river that runs through 18 km before meeting the Arabian Sea. Mr Kadam said that by this monsoon, the construction of the wall would be completed along the entire length of the river.
Speaking about the pollution level in Chembur, the environment minister admitted that the pollution level in the area had been on the rise. “A study from KEM Hospital has revealed that the pollution in Chembur has increased by at least 15 to 20 per cent. The state environment department will send notices to all the companies found guilty within the next 15 days,” Mr Kadam said.
