Firms discharge chemicals into Konkan reservoir

Chemical discharge from industrial units in the Lote Maharashtra Industrial Development Corporation (MIDC) estates in Konkan has poisoned the water in Boraj dam, reports HT Correspondent.

Chemical discharge from industrial units in the Lote Maharashtra Industrial Development Corporation (MIDC) estates in Konkan has poisoned the water in Boraj dam.

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The poisonous water has killed the fish in the reservoir and affected drinking water supply to Khed, 218 km from Mumbai, off the Goa highway, and nearby 13 villages.

Local fishermen detected the water contamination on Sunday when they saw dead fish floating in the reservoir. “Tonnes of fish died due to the poisonous water,” said a local officer, requesting anonymity.

Local journalist Dinesh Keluskar told Hindustan Times over the phone that local industries did not get their waste processed in the chemical affluent treatment plant in the Lote MIDC estate before discharging it in the river.

“We were told that the samples from all chemical units have been collected and sent for tests,” said Keluskar. “No particular source of discharge has been detected yet.”

Tehsildar Milind Gaikwad was unreachable but one of his associates said the administration had been supplying tanker water to the town for the last two days.

According to a source in the tehsildar’s office, the administration has complained against the Maharashtra Pollution Control Board (MPSCB) for ignoring “criminal” discharge by the chemical factories.

Industry Minister Rajendra Darda did not comment saying he was being treated at a hospital. Top MPCB officials were unreachable but the Mumbai office confirmed that a team of experts will inspect the dam on Tuesday.