BJP leader urges PM to make sewage treatment mandatory before river discharge

M.A. Mohan, the Bharatiya Janata Party's spokesperson in Mysuru, has written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi calling for a nationwide mandate requiring treatment of sewage and industrial effluents before they are discharged into rivers. The letter, a copy of which has been shared with The Hindu, highlights the growing pollution burden on India's waterways and urges the Union government to act with urgency.

In his communication, Mr. Mohan draws attention to the discharge of untreated wastewater from towns, industries, resorts, and commercial establishments across the country. He notes that despite the availability of modern wastewater treatment technologies, many areas continue to release raw sewage directly into rivers. This practice, he warns, poses a serious threat to public health, biodiversity, and the environment.

Citing the Kabini river in Karnataka as a clear example, Mr. Mohan points to the recent drought conditions that brought the Kabini reservoir to a record low. The receding water exposed large stretches of riverbed and stagnant, polluted pools, revealing the environmental stress on the river system. He specifically mentions the town of Saragur, with a population of nearly 50,000, stating that untreated wastewater from the town, along with discharge from resorts and commercial establishments along the river, is flowing into the Kabini without adequate treatment.

The Kabini river is a vital water source, serving as drinking water for the city of Mysuru. It flows downstream to T. Narasipur, where it joins the Kaveri at Sangama, then continues into Tamil Nadu before reaching the sea. Pollution at the source, therefore, affects millions of people and ecosystems downstream, making this an issue of cross-state significance.

The river also passes through the Heggadadevanakote region, an ecologically sensitive area that includes dense forests and tribal habitats. This region, home to four major dams, is of particular environmental importance, and Mr. Mohan calls for the highest level of protection for its water resources.

Mr. Mohan has requested the Union government to make it mandatory for every urban local body, industry, resort, and commercial establishment located near rivers to treat all wastewater through Sewage Treatment Plants (STPs) or Effluent Treatment Plants before any discharge. He also emphasises the need for strict monitoring, periodic inspections, and stringent penalties for violations of such rules.

In his letter, Mr. Mohan proposes a pilot project on the Kabini river to demonstrate a comprehensive river pollution prevention model. This would include the installation and effective operation of STPs for towns and commercial establishments along the river. He suggests that a successful model could then be replicated across all major river basins in the country.

“Protecting our rivers is essential for safeguarding drinking water, agriculture, wildlife, forests, and the health of future generations,” Mr. Mohan said. The letter is a call for systemic change in how India manages its water resources, with an emphasis on accountability and enforcement.