Indrayani River pollution has resurfaced as large numbers of dead fish were found at several locations in Alandi on Wednesday, raising fresh concerns about water quality, aquatic life and the failure to prevent recurring contamination in the pilgrimage town.
According to a report by Pudhari, dead fish were found near the Siddhabet bund, Garudstambh and Bhakt Pundalik temple ghat areas. The fish were seen floating in the river, while an unpleasant odour was reported around the affected stretches. The locations are used by devotees and Warkaris visiting Alandi, making the incident a public concern as well as an environmental one.
The report said similar fish deaths had been observed earlier in September and at the beginning of October. The recurrence has led to renewed concern among local residents, devotees and Warkaris, who have criticised the absence of a permanent solution to the river’s pollution problems.
Sewage containing untreated waste and chemically contaminated discharge from industrial areas have been cited as possible sources of pollution. However, the precise cause of the latest fish deaths has not been established. The report noted that a fall in dissolved oxygen levels can kill fish in polluted water, but said the cause of the current incident would become clear only after an official investigation and testing.
The incident highlights the need to identify where wastewater enters the river, collect and test water samples, and establish whether pollution levels are changing across the affected locations. The report did not provide the results of any official water-quality test or identify an authority that had confirmed the source of the contamination.
Removing dead fish from the river would address only the visible outcome of the incident. Preventing a repeat would require action against the discharge of untreated sewage and industrial effluent, along with regular monitoring of water quality and enforcement against identified polluters. The report said devotees and Warkaris had demanded an immediate action plan from the administration to control pollution in the Indrayani.
The latest deaths also place attention on the responsibilities of the agencies managing sanitation, wastewater and environmental regulation around Alandi. Until testing establishes the cause, the connection between the fish deaths and any particular discharge remains unconfirmed. The next steps are expected to include water-sample testing, identification of pollution sources and administrative action based on the findings.
