Make Godavari waters potable, Bombay HC tells Maharashtra government

Concerned over the pollution in Godavari river near Nashik, which will host the Kumbh Mela next month, the Bombay high court has questioned Maharashtra government about its plan to make the river's water fit for drinking.

A division bench of justices Abhay Oka and Revati Mohite-Dere passed the order while hearing a public interest litigation (PIL) filed by activist Rajesh Pandit. Pursuant to earlier HC directions, a report on the condition of the river was submitted by Maharashtra Pollution Control Board (MPCB) and National Environment Engineering Research Institute (NEERI), a central government body. The report stated that the holy river was polluted and its water was not fit from human consumption.

The PIL prayed that until the pollution is cleared and Godavari water becomes fit for drinking, the authorities be restrained from holding the Kumbh Mela in Nashik. The HC had earlier warned it would ban bathing in the river during the Mela unless the authorities, including Nashik Municipal Corporation, the Pollution Control Board, state government and the Centre took steps to clean the water.

The mega religious congregation on the banks of Godavari at Trimbakeshwar, a pilgrim town near Nashik, about 200km from Mumbai, will start from July 14.