Rivers in Maharashtra’s pilgrimage sites in the grip of pollution

Sewage, industrial wastewater being discharged into the river without treatment
Need strict measures for purification

By Ajay Kelkar, Special Representative, Sanatan Prabhat

Kolhapur – The Panchaganga River in Kolhapur, the city which has one of the three and a half Shakti Peethas, i.e. Shri Mahalaxmi Shakti Peeth, the Chandrabhaga River in Pandharpur and the Indrayani River in Alandi, both of which are sacred rivers for the varkaris, the Mula-Mutha River in Pune, the Godavari River in Nashik, where the Kumbh Mela will soon be held, and other rivers near the pilgrimage sites in the State are under the grip of severe pollution. In total 53 rivers in the State are under the grip of pollution. The rivers have become polluted as the sewage from cities and villages is directly discharged into the rivers without treatment.

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Rivers at Maharashtra’s major pilgrimage sites are drowning in pollution

Untreated village sewage, industrial waste, and contaminated water are being discharged directly into rivers. Immediate and strict river purification measures are essential.

The… pic.twitter.com/x5lywfeRXF

— Sanatan Prabhat (@SanatanPrabhat) May 9, 2026

Industrial sewage from factories is also being directly discharged into the rivers without purification. The ‘Pollution Control Board’ and local administration are not taking serious action against such things which are clearly visible to common citizens.

According to the 2025 figures, Maharashtra generates about 90 Cr litre wastewater annually. More than 50 percent of this water is discharged directly into the rivers without being processed. The Indrayani at Alandi has become so polluted that during the rainy season, the municipal administration puts up signs saying, “Varkaris should not bathe in this water, as it can cause skin diseases.” What could be more embarrassing than this.

Despite its spiritual importance, no efforts taken to purify Panchaganga

Major nalas of Kolhapur city directly merge into the Panchaganga River, the river which is a boon for Kolhapur city, and which is formed by the confluence of 5 different rivers. According to a report, 1,100 lakh litre of sewage is generated in Kolhapur city every day, of which more than 170 lakh litre mixes directly into the river without being processed. Since there is no purification process for the various nalas in the city, the direct mixing of impure water into the river not only affects the health of the citizens but also the health of aquatic life. Every year, fish die in many places in the District, including at Terwad dam; but the Pollution Control Board does not take cognizance of this. As usual, they take samples of polluted water, do paperwork and leave. The Municipal Administration and the Pollution Control Board always blame the immersion of Shri Ganesh idols for the pollution of this river.

Varkari devotion played with

The Indrayani River in Alandi is covered by water hyacinth for most of the months. Continuous white foam and untreated sewage from many nearby factories have become a routine. Several meetings were held and announcements were made for the cleanliness of the Indrayani River; but all this remained on paper. In the year 2017, ‘Namami Chandrabhaga’ project was announced. An estimated area of 110 km was included in it. The Districts of Pune, Satara, Solapur were supposed to work together; but due to lack of willpower, nothing happened. Now, illegal sand mining along with encroachment is taking place on the banks of the river in Pandharpur. This also needs to be addressed.

The condition of the Mula-Mutha River in Pune has become so pathetic that the river water is black in colour and the people won’t dare to even dip their feet in it. All this requires strict measures by the government and the administration. Only with strict measures, these rivers can be free from pollution.