Page 51 - Sugam Sarita
P. 51
of which are supposedly closed. Sangameshwar (Confluence with
Bhima): This is where Mula Mutha and Bhima meet.
The condition of Pune’s rivers has gotten worse during the previous
20 to 25 years. Pune’s population has grown exponentially, resulting
in massive sewage production that is only partially treated due to the
extremely inadequate capacity and dubious efficacy of PMC’s sewage
treatment plants. Since all STPs discharge partially treated sewage
into the rivers throughout most of the year, all these rivers essentially
carry only sewage rather than fresh water. Large amounts of industrial
effluents are dumped into the rivers on top of all of this. The number
of industrial effluents is so great that the Pollution Control Boards’
monitoring is now in doubt. Pune, like many cities, faces a significant
problem with solid waste management. Despite trash separation and
processing, we continue to struggle with the issue of 100% rubbish
collection. The trash that is scattered all over the place is evidence of
the negligence of the people, which comprises of plastic, eventually
mixes with surface runoffs and becomes clogged in the storm water
drainage system, causing water to pool in numerous places and
causing what are known as “pluvial floods.” The ability of all rivers
and streams in and around Pune to convey water has significantly
decreased during the past several years. To do this, one must first
comprehend the idea of “Flood Lines,” which are determined by
the Water Resources Department. The flood lines come in red and
blue varieties. While red flood lines indicate the level of the flood
that occurs every 100 years, blue flood lines indicate the level of the
flood that occurs every 25 years. The area of property between the
two Blue Flood Lines is referred to as the “Prohibitive Zone,” and
no building is allowed there. Additionally, there are restrictions on
construction in the “Restrictive Zone,” which is the area of land
37