Punekar: Pune: Saturday, 18 April 2026.
Fresh disclosures obtained under the Right to Information (RTI) Act have brought the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) under scrutiny in connection with the recent ecological damage at Pashan Lake, where thousands of fish were found dead.
According to official
records from the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC), a major drainage line was
damaged during excavation work carried out by NHAI along the Bavdhan service road.
The drainage infrastructure had been installed by the civic body following
earlier directions from the National Green Tribunal (NGT) to protect the lake’s
ecosystem.
Civic documents indicate that the damaged line was not repaired promptly, leading to the discharge of more than 200,000 litres of untreated sewage per day into stormwater lines. These lines eventually connect to the water system feeding Pashan Lake, potentially contributing to the deterioration of water quality.
Advocate Krunnal Gharre, who accessed and shared the RTI documents, alleged that the incident reflects multiple administrative lapses. He claimed that the continuous flow of untreated sewage near the lake contributed significantly to water toxicity. Gharre also alleged that repeated warnings issued by PMC officials to NHAI regarding the damage and associated public health risks were not acted upon.
The records further suggest that PMC had cautioned NHAI about possible outbreaks of vector-borne diseases such as dengue and malaria due to stagnant and contaminated water. Despite formal communication and follow-ups, the repair work was allegedly not completed, and the site was left unattended.
Gharre also stated that attempts to coordinate corrective measures were met with a lack of clarity and accountability among officials. He has called for a broader investigation into the roles of various agencies, including NHAI, and has urged authorities such as the Maharashtra Pollution Control Board (MPCB) and PMC to examine liability and initiate appropriate legal and financial action.
Authorities have not yet issued an official response to the latest allegations. The investigation into the Pashan Lake incident is ongoing.
Fresh disclosures obtained under the Right to Information (RTI) Act have brought the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) under scrutiny in connection with the recent ecological damage at Pashan Lake, where thousands of fish were found dead.
Civic documents indicate that the damaged line was not repaired promptly, leading to the discharge of more than 200,000 litres of untreated sewage per day into stormwater lines. These lines eventually connect to the water system feeding Pashan Lake, potentially contributing to the deterioration of water quality.
Advocate Krunnal Gharre, who accessed and shared the RTI documents, alleged that the incident reflects multiple administrative lapses. He claimed that the continuous flow of untreated sewage near the lake contributed significantly to water toxicity. Gharre also alleged that repeated warnings issued by PMC officials to NHAI regarding the damage and associated public health risks were not acted upon.
The records further suggest that PMC had cautioned NHAI about possible outbreaks of vector-borne diseases such as dengue and malaria due to stagnant and contaminated water. Despite formal communication and follow-ups, the repair work was allegedly not completed, and the site was left unattended.
Gharre also stated that attempts to coordinate corrective measures were met with a lack of clarity and accountability among officials. He has called for a broader investigation into the roles of various agencies, including NHAI, and has urged authorities such as the Maharashtra Pollution Control Board (MPCB) and PMC to examine liability and initiate appropriate legal and financial action.
Authorities have not yet issued an official response to the latest allegations. The investigation into the Pashan Lake incident is ongoing.
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