CIDCO land dispute sparks environmental crisis in Navi Mumbai

The Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation (NMMC) has been discharging 37 million litres per day (MLD) of untreated sewage into Thane creek due to the shutdown of its sewage treatment plant (STP) in Sector-15, Ghansoli, Navi Mumbai. The shutdown was necessitated by a land dispute between the landowner and CIDCO with the landowner claiming lack of compensation from CIDCO for land acquisition. The NMMC is making efforts to resolve the dispute, reopen the STP, and prevent further environmental harm.
NatConnect Foundation, an NGO, reported the untreated sewage release to NMMC. The discharge of untreated sewage violates a 2017 Supreme Court order and could result in environmental compensation penalties imposed by the National Green Tribunal. The director of NatConnect Foundation, BN Kumar, confirmed the STP's closure by NMMC and has informed Chief Minister Eknath Shinde of the situation.
Kumar highlighted the critical threat posed by the discharge of untreated sewage into Thane creek to marine life and biodiversity. He stressed that toxic sewer pollutants entering the creek adversely affect marine life and also the health of those consuming seafood from these waters. Kumar has urged Chief Minister Shinde to promptly resolve the land dispute to safeguard the environment.
Local residents expressed dismay over the situation, noting that authorities have not taken substantial action to reinstate STP operations. Ghansoli, where the STP is located, has emerged as a prominent real estate destination, with a plot even fetching over 3 lakh per square meter in a CIDCO tender last year. They criticized CIDCO for not addressing the land dispute, despite the environmental consequences of the STP's closure, while planning additional commercial and residential complexes in the area.
The situation not only poses an environmental risk but also raises concerns about public health and the impact on the local ecosystem. While efforts are underway to resolve the dispute, the untreated sewage discharge into Thane creek remains an urgent concern, necessitating swift action to address the issue and protect the environment. NMMC and CIDCO, along with environmental authorities, must collaborate to find a solution sooner to ensure compliance with environmental regulations and mitigate the ecological and public health risks associated with the sewage release into the creek.

Next (MCD's proactive measures to tackle pollution and illegal waste dumping in Delhi)

CIDCO land dispute sparks environmental crisis in Navi Mumbai

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