Pune: The Maharashtra Pollution Control Board (MPCB) has directed Visvesvaraya National Institute of Technology, Nagpur, to prepare an action plan for restoration of environment after violations were observed at Paithan MIDC in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar and two development project sites in Aundh and Bibvewadi The board’s head office has sanctioned Rs 14.16 lakh for each of the site assessments and reports. This move came after the National Green Tribunal’s western bench directed that assessment be conducted of Paithan MIDC and the two project sites.
The tribunal was notified of the parameters, such as chloride, hardness, sulphate and conductivity, exceeding the drinking water standard at Paithan Maharashtra Industrial Development Corporation (MIDC)’s vicinity due to discharge of effluent from the industries located within. However, it was unable to identify the polluting industries. The concerned applicant claimed that due to the discharge, severe groundwater contamination leading to agricultural crop damage was observed.
The board on July 1 issued the work order for the institute to carry out groundwater contamination assessment and constitute a mitigation plan for the same. This includes a detailed survey of the area, a study of contamination over the last three decades, and a detailed assessment of groundwater contamination, including surface water, crop, and animal scat to check the level of contamination. “A short-term mitigation plan will also be constituted on .