'Excess sewage is being deliberately diverted from the STP and discharged directly into Pashan Lake in a conspicuous manner,' says AAP VP Krunnal Gharre. (Source: Wikimedia Commons)
Naval Kishore Ram, the Pune Municipal Commissioner, visited Pashan Lake on Friday, where a large number of fish have been found dead. The Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) said that it was found that the sewage treatment plant (STP) had been shut down, due to which untreated sewage was being discharged into the lake. This was leading to not only a foul smell in the locality but also the death of the fish due to water contamination.
According to the PMC, a show cause notice has been served to Jagdish Khanore, the Chief Engineer, Sewerage and Maintenance and Repair Department. Ajaykumar Dattatray Vayse, Executive Engineer, Sewerage Maintenance and Repair Department, Vinayak Chopde, Health Inspector of the Aundh-Baner Zonal Office and Vijay Bhoir, Zonal Health Inspector, Aundh-Baner Zonal Office have been suspended following departmental inquiries.”There will be departmental enquiry on them and they should not leave the civic jurisdiction without consent of PMC,” said Ram.
“This matter is extremely serious in nature and is concerning from the perspectives of the environment and health. The Commissioner immediately took stock of the situation from the officers concerned and has issued directives for strict action against the guilty parties, as well as for implementing immediate remedial measures to bring the situation under control,” said PMC in a social media post.
The PMC has also served notice against the consultant for STP and is likely to remove them from the work. The Maharashtra Pollution Control Board (MPCB) will give a report on the functioning of the Effluent Treatment Plant of surrounding factories within a week.
The case of the STP coincides with a red flag that was already being raised by environmental activists. In July 2025, the National Green Tribunal (NGT) had issued an order directing PMC, the Bhugaon Gram Panchayat, and the Bhukum Gram Panchayat to create drainage systems and STPs as a way to ensure that waste water does not pollute the Ramnadi. The case had been filed by Krunnal Gharre, Vice President of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) Pune.
Earlier this week, Gharre approached the National Green Tribunal (NGT) for an execution application on the order. He is taking on PMC, PMRDA, Maharashtra Pollution Control Board (MPCB), and the Bhugaon and Bhukum Gram Panchayats, alleging a failure to plan and execute sewage treatment infrastructure effectively, leading to pollution of Pashan Lake.
“The 1 MLD Pashan STP, commissioned last year, was allegedly inadequate from the outset. Despite repeated submissions highlighting that the capacity would fall short for Bavdhan’s growing population, PMC reportedly refused to consider the data and instead proposed installing flow meters to divert excess sewage,” says Gharre.
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He adds that the plant exceeded its designed capacity during the trial phase itself—raising serious questions about long-term planning. “The situation has further deteriorated as the plant has faced continuous operational issues within just one year; notably, it remained shut for nearly three months due to maintenance and technical failures,” he says.
About the dead fish, Gharre said, “Excess sewage is being deliberately diverted from the STP and discharged directly into Pashan Lake in a conspicuous manner, undermining earlier efforts to intercept sewage from Bhugaon and nearby areas.”
He said that AAP Pune will stage a protest, including a dharna in sewage water, to highlight what he termed as “blatant disregard” for both citizens and judicial orders. In his execution application, Gharre is seeking the imposition of heavy environmental costs for non-compliance. “The situation is not only a violation of NGT orders but also a serious breach of public trust,” says Gharre.
Dipanita Nath is a Senior Assistant Editor at The Indian Express, based in Pune. She is a versatile journalist with a deep interest in the intersection of culture, sustainability, and urban life.
Professional Background
Experience: Before joining The Indian Express, she worked with other major news organizations including Hindustan Times, The Times of India, and Mint.
Core Specializations: She is widely recognized for her coverage of the climate crisis, theatre and performing arts, heritage conservation, and the startup ecosystem (often through her "Pune Inc" series).
Storytelling Focus: Her work often unearths "hidden stories" of Pune—focusing on historical institutes, local traditions, and the personal journeys of social innovators.
Recent Notable Articles (December 2025)
Her recent reporting highlights Pune’s cultural pulse and the environmental challenges facing the city during the winter season:
1. Climate & Environment
"Pune shivers on coldest morning of the season; minimum temperature plunges to 6.9°C" (Dec 20, 2025): Reporting on the record-breaking cold wave in Pune and the IMD's forecast for the week.
"How a heritage tree-mapping event at Ganeshkhind Garden highlights rising interest in Pune’s green legacy" (Dec 20, 2025): Covering a citizen-led initiative where Gen Z and millennials gathered to document and protect ancient trees at a Biodiversity Heritage Site.
"Right to breathe: Landmark NGT order directs PMC to frame norms for pollution from construction sites" (Dec 8, 2025): Reporting on a significant legal victory for residents fighting dust and air pollution in urban neighborhoods like Baner.
2. "Hidden Stories" & Heritage
"Inside Pune library that’s nourished minds of entrepreneurs for 17 years" (Dec 21, 2025): A feature on the Venture Center Library, detailing how a collection of 3,500 specialized books helps tech startups navigate the product life cycle.
"Before he died, Ram Sutar gave Pune a lasting gift" (Dec 18, 2025): A tribute to the legendary sculptor Ram Sutar (creator of the Statue of Unity), focusing on his local works like the Chhatrapati Shivaji statue at Pune airport.
"The Pune institute where MA Jinnah was once chief guest" (Dec 6, 2025): An archival exploration of the College of Agriculture, established in 1907, and its historical role in India's freedom struggle.
3. Arts, Theatre & "Pune Inc"
"Satyajit Ray, Ritwik Ghatak were not rivals but close friends, says veteran filmmaker" (Dec 17, 2025): A deep-dive interview ahead of the Pune International Film Festival (PIFF) exploring the camaraderie between legends of Indian cinema.
"Meet the Pune entrepreneur helping women build and scale businesses" (Dec 16, 2025): Part of her "Pune Inc" series, profiling Nikita Vora’s efforts to empower female-led startups.
"How women drone pilots in rural Maharashtra are cultivating a green habit" (Dec 12, 2025): Exploring how technology is being used by women in agriculture to reduce chemical use and labor.
Signature Style
Dipanita Nath is known for intellectual curiosity and a narrative-driven approach. Whether she is writing about a 110-year-old eatery or the intricacies of the climate crisis, she focuses on the human element and the historical context. Her columns are often a blend of reportage and cultural commentary, making them a staple for readers interested in the "soul" of Pune.
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