Ichalkaranji-based union leader Datta Mane had approached the Bombay high court regarding release of untreated effluent in the Panchganga against which the Bombay high court on Wednesday asked the textile units to make the common effluent treatment plant (ETP) in Ichalkaranji fully operational within nine months, precisely by March next year. Ichalkaranji is a textile town and it has 12-MLD ETP.

Western Maharashtra Powerloom Associatio’s president Giriraj Mohta had requested the Bombay high court to grant some more time for its optimum utilization. The court has granted them more time and they will complete their project by March 2016. The court also ordered that treated water should be used for agricultural purposes.

The locals as well as union leaders have complained about a large number of processing and textile-based industries in the town for allegedly causing pollution in the Panchganga. Dhairyashil Sutar, counsel for the petitioners, said that the effluent treatment plant is releasing only 25% of the treated water. They want 100% treated water to be released for agriculture purpose alone.

The water should not go to Kala Odha (stream) which further joins the Panchganga. There is a need to keep a check on the water quality. The complainants have claimed that the textile companies are causing severe water pollution which is posing a threat to the people`s lives.

The high court has already appointed the Nagpur-based National Environment Engineering Research Institute (NEERI) to survey the river stretch, find out the causes of pollution and suggest likely measures. During the last hearing in May last year, the petitioner claimed that the NEERI`s report is just limited to the areas under the Kolhapur Municipal Corporation and did not cover other factors including Ichalkaranji. Meanwhile, the high court also held a hearing on the complaints against Kagal Hatkanangale five-star MIDC.