Nashik: Incessant rain has raised concerns again of sewer water mixing with the water of the Godavari River. Although there is a provision for a sewage network as part of the Smart City project, the people of the city are demanding that an action plan be put in place ahead of the completion of the sewage network under Smart City.Narendra Dharane, a resident of the city, said, “In two days of rain, the sewage water has mixed with the river. This happens every year during the rains. The storm water drainage project is totally unsuccessful.” He said he could not help wondering what sort of Smart City would develop, if even something so basic is proving so hard to manage. “Some action plan needs to be put in place so this problem is addressed. We must not just wait for the sewage network under Smart City.”Pranali Jadhav, also a resident of the city, said, “We went to the river banks thinking we would see the river gushing with fresh rainwater, but there was such a horrid stink. NMC should clear all the drains and sewer water should not be allowed to flow freely into the river,” she said.Devang Jani, a resident of Panchavati and petitioner in the River Godavari pollution case, complained about dirty water mixing near Dutondya Maruti. “This happens every year. We have been complaining to NMC for years. NMC keeps responding that provisions are being made, but there is no change on the ground,” Jani said.NMC officials, in response to a written complaint from Jani, responded that NMC was planning to separate drainage water and rainwater coming from Datta Nagar into the river. The sewerage department has already separated sewage entering storm water drainage at Dindori Naka, the reply said.Project Goda under Smart City is also expected to cut the flow of sewage into the river. The government’s budgetary provision for water supply for all and sewerage network under Amrut scheme is expected to resolve all the sewage issues. Jani and other residents living near the river bank said it was not true that residents joined pipelines, leading sewer water to run into the river. They said this was done by NMC many years ago. It now needs to be resolved to curb pollution and reduce health hazards, they said.

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