Pune: The Indrayani River, an important water body flowing through Pimpri-Chinchwad and home to revered pilgrimage sites like Dehu and Alandi, is witnessing increasing levels of pollution, sparking serious health concerns and prompting strong public outrage.
On Sunday, May 4, concerned residents gathered at Moi Phata along the banks of the Indrayani River to protest the ongoing contamination. The protest aimed to draw attention to the worsening condition of the river, which frequently produces foam—an indicator of high pollution—and to demand immediate intervention from the authorities.
One of the key causes of pollution is the Ramzhara stream, which originates from Kudalwadi and Chikhali and merges with the Indrayani near Moi Phata. Once a natural waterway, the stream has now turned into an open sewer, choked with construction debris, plastic litter, and untreated wastewater.
Three months ago, the Pimpri-Chinchwad Municipal Corporation (PCMC) took action against scrap businesses in the Kudalwadi and Chikhali areas, blaming them for contributing to the river’s pollution. However, despite these efforts, the flow of polluted water continues unabated—exposing a lack of consistent enforcement and monitoring by local authorities.
Adding to the concern, pilgrims and visitors to the holy towns of Dehu and Alandi often use river water for religious purposes, unaware that it is contaminated. Activists warn that consumption of this polluted water may lead to serious health risks if immediate steps are not taken.
The protesters put forth clear demands: ensure that all sewage is properly treated before being released into the river, restore the river’s natural flow, and take strict measures against illegal dumping and deforestation along the riverbanks.
Participants carried banners and chanted slogans calling for environmental protection, while also pointing out the loss of biodiversity and increased flood risk due to encroachments and tree cutting near the river.
While PCMC is currently executing a riverfront development project, activists criticized it for focusing more on aesthetic improvements rather than addressing the core issue of water pollution. They also raised concerns that filling up parts of the riverbed as part of this project is interfering with the river’s natural course.
Citizens have been staging protests for months, and the movement is gaining momentum with more people joining in to protect the ecological and cultural sanctity of the Indrayani River.
