Devendra Fadnavis in Russia: Maharashtra, St Petersburg sign MoU on water supply, treatment technology

The Vodokanal, a Russian water utility and water management company, will help the Maharashtra government with innovative technological solutions in water supply and water disposal technologies for rivers, including Mithi, across the state. After the 26/7 Mumbai floods in 2005, it was noted that Mithi river could not carry the excess rain waters into the sea as it was filled with silt and debris. The decision was taken to restore the river to its original state by desilting and widening to facilitate the effective flow of water and also avert floods in the city. It was estimated that the 17.8 km stretch of Mithi would require Rs 300 crore for the process. However, at the end of 11 years, the work, being carried out by the BMC and MMRDA, is still incomplete. The foremost project on Fadnavis’s agenda is to revive Mithi river to its past glory. Vodokanal expertise will be sought to strengthen the water treatment and disposal which would be subsequently extended to other rivers in the state. The Vodokanal in Saint Petersburg has a water network of 7,100 km with nine water treatment plants and supplies 1.6 million m3 of potable water every day.

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The Maharashtra government has identified 49 polluting river stretches out of a total of 302 in the category of worst-affected, which have to be taken up on the highest priority. The list includes Tapi, Godavari, Wardha-Wainganga, Krishna, Panchganga, Hoyana, Mula, Mutha and Pravara basins.

As much as 85 to 90 per cent of river pollution is due to untreated solid waste which is flown in the river. Mumbai and St Petersburg are ‘sister cities’, and will complete 50 years of this relationship in 2017. 2017 also marks the Visit Maharashtra Year.

While emphasising on the need to extend cooperation, Fadnavis dwelt on issues of urban development and smart cities, which were discussed on the sidelines of the BRICS conclave held in Mumbai recently. Fadnavis also called for greater collaboration in education, tourism, ship building, IT, smart cities and the yoga festival.