IIT-Bombay Report Urges No Housing Near Polluted Taloja River

IIT-Bombay’s recent Environmental Status Report for the Panvel City Municipal Corporation (PCMC) recommends against approving new housing projects near the polluted Taloja and Kasardi rivers. The report outlines significant environmental concerns, particularly regarding the sewage disposal and industrial waste management in the region.

The 2024-25 report indicates that the Maharashtra Pollution Control Board (MPCB) does not monitor the water quality of these rivers because they are not utilized for drinking purposes. Despite this, the report emphasizes the need for regular water quality assessments and remediation measures if contamination is found.

In light of the findings, the civic body is advised to halt any construction activities adjacent to the dumping ground and near the Taloja MIDC area. Dr. Abhishek Chakraborty, an assistant professor in the Environmental Science and Engineering Department at IIT-Bombay, led the team that compiled this critical report.

Waste Management Strategies Recommended

The report suggests that PCMC adopt waste-to-energy methods to enhance solid waste management. Techniques such as bio-methanation, biomass gasification, and pyrolysis are recommended to tackle the region’s waste disposal challenges. It identifies that of the 471 metric tons of waste generated daily, 56% is wet, 40% dry, 3% sanitary, and 1% hazardous. Most of this waste is currently disposed of at the Cidco and Mumbai Waste Management facilities located in the Taloja MIDC area.

The report also highlights the adverse effects of pollution on the environment and ecology, urging for stringent regulations to prevent industrial effluents from contaminating surface water bodies. Effective cleaning and maintenance of water bodies, including rivers, lakes, and ponds, are deemed critical.

Call for Action on Sewage Disposal

In addition to waste management, the investigation points out the necessity for localized sewage treatment systems to be installed prior to discharge into nallahs. The report calls for the selection and implementation of suitable technologies to improve the water quality of these watercourses.

PCMC has made the report available on its website, appealing to residents to review the findings. The civic body is encouraged to advocate for the MPCB to increase its monitoring efforts and enforce regulations that would protect local water bodies from contamination.

The conclusions drawn in IIT-Bombay’s report highlight the need for immediate action to mitigate pollution and address waste management challenges. Without these measures, the environmental health of the area, particularly near the Taloja MIDC, remains at risk.