Pune: Local farmers and villagers are raising questions regarding the management of contaminated water discharged from Aurangabad Distillery Private Limited, an alcohol manufacturing industry located in the Walchandnagar area of Indapur Tehsil. There are fears that untreated, chemical-laden wastewater is being released directly into the Nimsakhar drain, which is feared to have long-term negative impacts on the area’s groundwater, agriculture, livestock, birds, and drinking water sources.
Danger of Contaminated Water
In the distillery industry, large quantities of contaminated water called ‘spent wash’ are generated during the processing of molasses. According to environmental experts, this water has a high concentration of biological and chemical components. If this water is mixed directly into water sources without proper treatment, the risk of pollution in the rivers, wells, and borewells of that area increases. Complaints from farmers regarding the quality of water in wells and borewells have increased in several villages near Walchandnagar and the Nimsakhar Stream.
Severe Impact on Agriculture and Livestock
Local farmers state that the contaminated water is reducing soil fertility and negatively affecting crops, including fruits, sugarcane, jowar, and vegetables. Farmers also reported that the polluted water has led to increased health problems in animals and prevented conception in livestock. As this black, chemical-laden water flows into the stream, it seeps into surrounding wells and borewells, contaminating their water. This polluted water is proving harmful to human health and causing severe damage to agriculture and crops. Local citizens and farmers have complained about changes in the color, odor, and taste of the water in some areas of Walchandnagar and Nimsakhar.
Demand for Immediate Action from Pollution Control Board
There is a demand from villagers, farmers, and environmental organizations that the Maharashtra Pollution Control Board (MPCB) must immediately investigate this matter and conduct rigorous testing of water samples. If any fault is found, strict action must be taken against the concerned distillery. Farmers’ worries are mounting as, according to them, the quality of the soil is deteriorating due to the contaminated water, and crop production is visibly affected. There are complaints of changes in the color and smell of the water in some places, causing anxiety among citizens about drinking water and leading to increased health issues. Citizens allege that in the past, when complaints of industrial pollution were raised, the administration merely issued notices. Therefore, solid and transparent action is expected this time.
Appeal to the Agriculture Minister for Intervention
Farmers have requested that Agriculture Minister Dattatray Bharane pay attention to this matter. They have appealed to the Agriculture Minister to issue strict orders to the local administration to take firm action against the concerned company and officials who are endangering the lives and health of citizens, farmers, livestock, and birds, and to impose a permanent ban on the discharge of contaminated water into public water sources.
MPCB’s Role Questioned
Local citizens and farmers stated that despite repeated complaints by social organizations, the Pollution Control Board is not paying any attention, leading to suspicion regarding the board’s role. Against this backdrop, local people have demanded that the MPCB take samples of water and soil from the distillery premises, conduct an investigation, and make the report public. Citizens believe that regular and transparent monitoring of industrial projects is necessary in environmentally sensitive areas.
“Our three and a half acres of horticultural land is located about one and a half kilometers from the Aurangabad Distillery company, near Nimsakhar. This farm has one well and one borewell. However, the distillery company is discharging a large amount of chemical-laden contaminated water into the Nimsakhar Stream. Due to the seepage of this polluted water, the water in the well and borewell on our farm has turned black and contaminated. Because of the polluted water, crops are unable to grow on the farm. Even if they do grow, the crop growth does not exceed one to one and a half feet. When this water is used for livestock consumption, the effects of the contaminated water are visible on their health. Due to the polluted water, three and a half acres of agricultural land are currently lying waste. This company is attempting to exert pressure by involving political leaders.”
– Pawankumar Bhosale, Farmer
