In a concerning environmental incident, thousands of fish were discovered dead in the Mula-Mutha River near the Naik Bet area in Pune. The deaths are believed to have been caused by chemical-contaminated water entering the river, raising alarms about pollution levels and public health risks.
The Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) has launched an investigation to identify the source of the contamination. Initial suspicions point to untreated sewage and industrial effluents as contributing factors. The Mula and Mutha Rivers, which meet at Sangamwadi, have long been plagued by pollution. Pune generates around 900 million liters of sewage daily, but only half of it undergoes treatment, with the rest flowing untreated into the rivers. The situation is further aggravated by the discharge of untreated industrial wastewater from the Pimpri-Chinchwad area into the Mula River, making its waters toxic for aquatic life.
Residents near Naik Bet reported a foul smell and noticed heaps of dead fish in the river. The incident has prompted scrutiny of the nearby Naidu Sewage Treatment Plant, but initial findings indicate no untreated water was released from the facility. The Sewerage Department is also inspecting potential leaks or damage in sewage pipelines.
Water samples have been collected for laboratory testing, and results are expected within two to three days. Additional Commissioner Prithviraj B.P. assured that action would be taken based on the findings, stating, “We are determined to identify the cause and ensure necessary steps are implemented to prevent such occurrences in the future.”
The incident has sparked renewed calls for stricter pollution control measures and improved wastewater management to protect the river ecosystem and public health.
