Mission Pashan: PMC Moves to Divert Sewage and Save the Lake

The Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) has proposed a plan to divert sewage away from Pashan Lake following rising concerns over pollution levels.

The civic body plans to construct a new pipeline to channel sewage to a larger sewage treatment plant (STP) in Baner. The existing STP near the lake has a limited capacity of 1 million litres per day (MLD), which is inadequate to handle the current inflow. In contrast, the Baner STP has a capacity of around 25 MLD, making it better equipped to treat the diverted wastewater.

Pashan Lake has been significantly affected by untreated sewage from nearby residential and commercial areas, including Bhukum and Bhugaon. Experts estimate that around 10–12 MLD of untreated wastewater is currently entering the lake, leading to increasing ecological stress.

The PMC aims to operationalise the diversion system before the monsoon, with treatment expected to begin by June. Officials believe the initiative will help reduce pollution and gradually restore the lake’s ecological balance.

News by Rahul Yelligetti.