Stir to take place on banks of Indrayani at 11 am on July 4

Reveals Shiv Sena (UBT) Pune District Organiser Sulabha Ubale

Pimpri, September 11: qThe Indrayani river, which is a source of faith for lakhs of warkaris, was heavily polluted during the Ashadhi Wari. A layer of foam is spread over its water as many industrial units have been releasing untreated effluents into it. Its water also has a foul smell. Warkaris take a dip in the river believing that it purifies their body and soul. 

However, the river water is so much polluted that it is causing skin infections among warkaris. In spite of lodging several complaints and taking follow-ups with the administration, no concrete action has been taken, stated a press release issued by Shiv Sena (UBT) Pune District Organiser Sulabha Ubale.

Therefore, an Elgar agitation will be launched on Thursday (July 4, 2024) by the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA). The stir will take place at 11 am on the banks of Indrayani river in Alandi, said the release.     

The press release issued by Ubale stated, “The Indrayani river, which is a source of faith for lakhs of warkaris, is heavily polluted. Many industrial units are releasing untreated effluents into the river. Its water has become dirty and water weed has grown all over it. Commercial chemical industries are releasing untreated hazardous chemical-mixed water directly into the river. This has been polluting the river. The river water looks green or yellow due to such chemical pollutants. The oxygen level in the river water is dipping, which is endangering aquatic plants and animals.

“Moreover, some scrap dealers also dump garbage, including plastic, into the river. A major part of the garbage is plastic, which is adding to the river’s pollution. The Pimpri Chinchwad Municipal Corporation (PCMC) and the Pollution Control Board have completely neglected this. The rulers at the civic body have merely minted money in the name of the river. Tenders worth crores of rupees were floated to clean the river. They pocketed the money in the guise of Namami Indrayani Project, River Cyclothon, de-weeding, etc. These are only a few examples. 

“The river development project remained merely on paper in the past 10 years. Dumping of debris in the river bed has not stopped. STPs have not been completed. From the then Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis to current Chief Minister Eknath Shinde merely promised to free the river of pollution. However, they conducted their own branding with government money. But they and the local BJP MLA should explain what they have done to check the river pollution,” stated the release.

Inaction by the ruling party and corruption are responsible for ruining the Indrayani river and environmental degradation. The Elgar agitation in Alandi by the MVA will expose their true face to citizens. All office-bearers and workers of MVA will participate in the agitation, said the release.