NMC sets up cell to curb Godavari river pollution

Nashik: The Nashik Municipal Corporation (NMC) has set up a special cell to check the rising pollution levels of river Godavari. NMC commissioner Abhishek Krishna on Saturday had undertaken round on the banks of the river and appealed to the people not to dump waste in it.

The cell will be headed by Rohidas Dorkulkar, a deputy commissioner level official. "We will adopt a two-pronged strategy to curb Godavari river pollution. To start with we will be creating awareness among the people by asking them to keep all the river ghats and the sacred Ramkunda clean," said Dorkulkar after taking the charge. "After creating awareness, stern action will be taken against those who continue to pollute the river water.

It has been decided to impose a fine in range of Rs 1,000 to Rs 5,000 on violators," he said. Dorkulkar also held a meeting with Nashik Purohit Sangh and urged them not to throw flowers and food waste in the river. NMC will soon put up instruction boards on the ghats and appoint 50 security guards to prevent people from throwing waste in the river.

City environmentalists Rajesh Pandit, Devang Jani, Lalita Shinde and Nishikant Pagare had approached the Bombay High Court over growing pollution of river Godavari. The High Court had directed the Nashik civic body to take steps to curb pollution of the river. Well known water conservationist Rajendra Singh, who had visited Nashik a number of times, too had pointed out at poor quality of river water due to pollution.