Environmental Status Report, Pandharpur
Environmental Status Report, Pandharpur
Environmental Status Report, Pandharpur
Prepared by
Sub -Regional Office,
Solapur
and
Regional Office
Maharashtra Pollution Control Board
PUNE
August 2005
Introduction:
The Bhima basin, located southeast of Mumbai, is part of a large inland plateau
running north-south within the state of Maharashtra. It extends from the Sahayadrian
watershed eastward and ranges in altitude from 700-1000 meters above sea level. The
western most part of the basin lies in the mountains known as the Western Ghats which
form a devide between the plateau and the coastal plan. Escarpments rising several
hundred feet above valley floors abut flat-topped mesas there. Many streams rise in this
largely forested region and flow eastward until they join the Bhima. These water resources
are increasingly affected by resource uses in the watershed.
The river collects tributaries from north to south. Some pass through Pune, one of
the most rapidly urbanizing cities of India. This exposure to urban activities degrades water
quality before the Bhima develops into a meandering river in lower elevations. The plains
lower to the Pune urban serves, as a major source of agriculture production.
Concerns have emerged with respect to the quantity and quality of water resources in the
basin. The major contributors of point and non-point sources of pathogens, nutrients and
other pollutants in the Bhima river system particularly close to towns and cities.
Nowhere is the Bhima River more concretely linked to the scared then at
Pandharpur. Pandharpur is one of the important pilgrimage center of India located on the
right bank of river Bhima also known as Chandrabhaga in this area because of its shape
near Pandharpur. Pandharpur is small scale township and located at 65 kms distance
towards west from Solapur. The Vitthal of Pandharpur is the premier deity or rural as well as
urban Maharashtra and its neighboring states. The main purpose of the pilgrims is to take the
important holly bath in river Bhima. Following song illustrate the importance of the place in mind of
masses.
The following data is reproduced and edited from the report of Maharashtra Jeevan
Pradhikaran.
Pandharpur: At a glance
General features of Pandharpur:
Area: 17.28 km2
Height: 465.12 m above Mean Sea Level
Average Temperature: 390 C
Average Rainfall: 600 mm.
a) Maximum rainfall in the year 1974: 1231 mm.
b) Minimum rainfall in the year 1972: 157 mm.
Soil: Soft soil to hard rock
Increasing urbanization in India is evident from the growth of towns and cities but the
following data shows Pandharpur is an exception. This could be due to region under dry
zone and poor sanitation during festival times.
Population
Year 1901: 21014
Year 2001: 91381
Prospective population increase based on growth of the town:
Year Population Floating Population
2011 117700 11075
2026 146860 14200
Religious Background:
Pandharpur has great religious and historic importance. It is also known, as
“Dakshin Kashi”. It is the greatest converging point for the masses. The huge crowds
gathering at Pandharpur is a visible symbol of faith of God Vithoba. Thousands of devotees
come here daily, on Ekadashi and full moon days of each month and also during Adik mass
(festival followed once in 4 years) to pay their homages. The town being a major pilgrimage
center, the pilgrims (varkaries) come every year during four important Yatra festivals on
Chaitra wari, Ashadhi wari, Kartik wari and Magh wari. Around 2-10 lakhs of pilgrims from
all over India gather here for these waries for dipping into river and darshan of Lord Vithoba.
They stay here for 3-4 days. So there is always a huge crowd in Pandharpur.
Existing Infrastructure:
Water Supply
Pandharpur Municipal Council has various full fledged water supply schemes to meet with
their requirements of drinking water for residents as well as for the floating population. Bhima river
is source of water supply. There are two Jackwell located about 1 km upstream of the town. The
water is treated in conventional water treatment plant having capacity of 22 MLD. The water is
supplied at the rate of 125 LPCD to residents with provision of 25 LPCD for floating population.
Average daily pure water supply is 13 MLD.
Sanitation
Previously, the drainage arrangements for Pandharpur town were not satisfactory.
There were about 2400 numbers of dry latrines from which night soil was conveyed by the
scavengers and sullage from individual houses was collected inside gutters and was
disposed off by letting it into the nalla near Vishnupad downstream of town. Subsequently it
meets Bhima river thereby polluting the river.
To solve the problem of pollution of Pandharpur town as well as Bhima river, it was
decided to provide full fledged sewerage system and sewage treatment plant for the town in
2 phases as per the topography and natural slopes. Under Phase-I (Existing Sewage
System) underground drainage scheme and sewage treatment scheme is provided to the
thickly populated area near Vithal Mandir i.e. old gaothan covering about 25% area (4 sq.
km.) of the town and 50% of population. A Sewage Treatment Plant of capacity 6.5 MLD
was constructed which was completed in Dec 1994. A part of the treated sewage is used to
irrigated an area of about 10 hectors and remaining treated effluent having regulatory
Standard norms is let out into the river through Gopalpur nalla located downstream of city.
After treating the sewage the influent BOD id reduced from 300 mg/ l to 20 mg/l and
suspended solids from 350 mg/l to 30 mg/l, which are well within the norms. The above
figers show only facilities to treat sewage for the local population. Though temporary
facilities are done to some extend to manage the human waste which remains inadequate
thus creating problem of sanitation and hygiene.
Milk Dairy unit processes 50,000 lit of milk daily. Water consumption is about
150000 lit/day taken from bore well in plant. Major effluent is generated from cleaning the
cans, vessels, milk tankers and floor washing. Quantity of effluent is around 100000 lit/day.
At present, there is no treatment unit. The supernatant is discharged into Malpe nalla.
connected to these nallas at various places as per natural slope. The untreated sewage
sullage from rest of the areas flows through these open gutters.
The domestic waste is also admitted to these nallas through surface drains. These
three nallas flow as open channels up to river one at upstream and two at downstream of
town and are heavily silted.
(1) Malpe Nalla:
It carries untreated sewage /sullage from Isbavi and developed area of Pandharpur
town. It also carries wastewater from the Milk dairy unit at Isbavi. It meets the river at 2
kms upstream of the town also on upstream of Headworks (Jackwells) of water supply
scheme. As this is fast developing residential area quantities and concentrations of
sewage likely to increase.
Location Parameters
Flow BOD COD VSS TSS pH Total Solids Conductivity
MLD mg/l mg/l mg/l mg/l mg/l mhos/cm
Malpe nalla 0.40-1.0 32-50 80-124 20 20-40 7.25-8.0 860-940 1186-1320
Lendki nalla 4.0-5.0 160-240 400-600 20-80 45-100 7.25-8.3 860-965 1100-1370
Gopalpur nalla 1.2-1.6 20-24 92-120 18-26 15-25 7.75-8.58 800-840 1100-1240
(Source: Maharashtra Jeevan Pradhikaran regional office)
The Bhima river is not a perennial one. There is no water in it for period of more than six
months. One K.T. Weir has been constructed by Irrigation Department on the river at about 5
kms upstream of Pandharpur city at Gursale for Irrigation purpose. In this K.T. Weir water is let
out periodically from Ujani Dam (Major Irrigation Project). Due to this weir and other K.T. Weirs
on upstream of town, normal flow of river stops near Pandharpur. There is very less or almost
no water in the river around Lord Vithal Mandir area. Flow of water in the river is ‘Nil’ during the
time of Chaitree wari i.e. in the month of March every year. Some big potholes are formed due
to dredging of sand from this portion of the river. These holes/ pits are filled with sullage
received from the town. Villages situated on the banks of river on downstream of the river face
severe water pollution problems. For this, the only remedy is to keep constant flow (perennial)
of water in the river. Wastewater (sullage) from 1. Malpe nalla 2. Gopalpur nalla (including flow
of Lendki nalla) is discharged into the river. This wastewater gets accumulated in these pits
and ponds of water during no flow period. This water remains there in stagnant condition till
next let out of water from K.T. Weir or dam.
Discharge data of Bhima river
The data regarding maximum and minimum discharge of the river in the last few years
are as below in order to assess the assimilative capacity of the water body.
a) Upstream of the town at Narsingpur
Water along with sullage discharge from the nallas flows through the river. This polluted
water is as a source of drinking water supply for 4-5 villages at about 8-10 km away on
downstream of Pandharpur town. Usually villagers of these villages suffer from water
borne diseases after drinking this polluted water.
Observations
Following are the comments made by Jeevan Pradhikaran on Pandharpur with
reference to water and wastewater.
1. Drinking water supply scheme is quite fulfilling the requirement of residents and
huge floating population in Pandharpur.
2. Usually in summer there is no water in the river. Incoming fresh water in Bhima river
from Ujani Dam during summer season is not adequate and regular. During yatra
period huge number of pilgrims take bath in it for 3-4 days. After stoppage of flow, it
gets accumulated in ponds for much longer period, which creates stagnation and
pollution of water.
3. It is very essential to upgrade the whole system of river water flow in Pandharpur
town near Vithal Mandir stretch where pilgrims take holy bath during every mid
month and monthly Ekadashi and four big Yatra festivals (5-15 days period).
4. Sanitary facilities for pilgrims at Pandharpur are very poor and as the floating
population in Pandharpur during yatra period is literally 5-8 times the local
population, the sanitation facilities need to be increased, improved and should be
maintained in a good condition.
5. Malpe nalla carries sewage and meets Bhima river on upstream of town as well as
upstream of headworks (Jackwell) of Pandharpur Water Supply Scheme.
6. Drainage flowing through Lendki and Gopalpur nalla, surface drains etc. is let out in
the holy river, downstream of Pandharpur near Vishnupad and hence containing
and polluting river water severely. It becomes unhealthy and unhygienic.
7. Because of improper and inadequate arrangements for garbage disposal the waste
generates foul smell and leads to pollution of environment and river.
Objectives outlined by Jeevan Pradhikaran:
1. To revive the aesthetic sense on bank of the river for stabilization and matain the
river water quality.
2. To develop the Ghat on river front (bank) near “ Vithal Temple” for extra
arrangements for holy bath and rituals.
3. To undertake afforestation along the banks of river.
4. To overcome the problem of inadequate sanitation facilities on mass scale
especially during yatras (4 times a year) and solid waste collection, transportation
and disposal through vermi-composting and safe disposal of other solid waste.
5. To control all types of pollution.
6. To divert, intercept drainage flow and to provide Sewerage Treatment Plant (STP)
and oxidation ponds to prevent water pollution in Bhima river.
7. To make the place environmentally safe and user friendly.
8. To provide facility of toilets / urinals for pilgrim load.
Regional Office of MPCB, Pune carried out the survey during Ashadi Ekadashi is
presented in the following pages.
Water Quality:
Pandharpur is the part of the large Bhima river basin. In upstream around Pune
tributaries of Bhima such as Mula , Mutha and Pavana rivers receives large quantity of
domestic wastewater. The rivers in these urban areas are grossly polluted. Following
table clearly shows low level of DO due to degradable waste responsible for the low DO
and higher BOD. These rivers then join Bhima river. In between Pandharpur and these
urban areas there is large Ujani reservoir. Therefore, very little natural flow in the river
in non-rainy seasons.
River Water Quality Status of Bhima River During the Year 2002-2003 (from
MPCB Report)
There was not much fluctuations in the parameters analyzed on 17th of July from the Old
Bridge area . But the samples shows slight increase in the level of BOD and COD and also
change in the oxygen indicating the inflow of sewage. There is also variations samples
collected from different times in a day. Samples of morning early hours clearly indicate large
inflow of human waste. While the samples of 18th shows higher levels as compare to 19th
July sample.
Samples from upstream of Pundlik mandir shoes three times more BOD and some extend
COD in the morning samples than afternoon and evening.
Like previous sample morning levels are more for BOD and COD and lower level of D.O
confirms the biodegradable waste entering in the river.
While the water samples from Gopalpur further downstream of main worship area also
shows same trends like previous samples particularly in the morning samples. This increase
in the level of 2-3 times even after the large dilution factor clealrly indicate there is hudge
quantityt of raw sewage is joining the river. It this is the case in rainy season one can
imagine the sanitation and hygienic conditions during other festive times.
A series of graphs presented gives various in the parameters analysed from four sampling
stations . These graphs show from day to day and time to time variations.
III(17)
III(18)
III(19)
II(17)
II(18)
II(19)
I(17)
I(18)
I(19)
(17)
(18)
(19)
IV
IV
IV
Calcium Content (mg/l)
50
40
30
20
10
0
III(17)
III(18)
III(19)
II(17)
II(18)
II(19)
I(17)
I(18)
I(19)
IV(17)
IV(18)
IV(19)
Hardness (mg/l)
200
150
100
50
0
III(17)
III(18)
III(19)
II(17)
II(18)
II(19)
I(17)
I(18)
I(19)
IV(17)
IV(18)
IV(19)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
‘X” axis: Sampling Locations (Date-wise observations) with the sampling time as series
Locations: Upstream I: Gursule Bandhara, II: Old Bridge Time (06.00)
Downstream II: Pundalik Mandir, IV: Goplapur
Dates: 17 (17 July, 2005); 18(18 July, 2005); 19 (19 July, 2005) Time (14.00)
4
2
III(17)
III(18)
III(19)
II(17)
II(18)
II(19)
I(17)
I(18)
I(19)
IV(17)
IV(18)
IV(19)
Biological Oxygen Demand (mg/l)
25
20
15
10
5
0
III(17)
III(18)
III(19)
II(17)
II(18)
II(19)
I(17)
I(18)
I(19)
IV(17)
IV(18)
IV(19)
Chemical Oxygen Demand (mg/l)
70
60
50
40
30
20
10
0
III(17)
III(18)
III(19)
II(17)
II(18)
II(19)
I(17)
I(18)
I(19)
IV(17)
IV(18)
IV(19)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
‘X” axis: Sampling Locations (Date-wise observations) with the sampling time as series
Locations: Upstream I: Gursule Bandhara, II: Old Bridge Time (06.00)
Downstream II: Pundalik Mandir, IV: Goplapur
Dates: 17 (17 July, 2005); 18(18 July, 2005); 19 (19 July, 2005) Time (14.00)
Air Quality:
Analysis was also done for the ambient air quality and noise levels during three days. Samples
were collected using mobile van for So2, Nox and SPM from three stations such as river banks of
main city, ST Stand and Hospital area. Each sample was for 8 hrs duration and three times in a
day from the same locality. Unlike water there is an increase in the level of So2, Nox and SPM in
the afternoon samples than morning one.
2 do ST Stand, 11.14 26.05 235 12.39 28.87 312.7 11.37 28.45 285.3
Pandharpur
3 do Near Hosptial 11.68 27.21 81.04 11.22 24.2 27.29 10.79 26.2 88.33
2 do ST Stand, 9.18 21.72 185.42 15.01 35.6 531.04 12.83 30.74 201.66
Pandharpur
3 do Near 11.22 25.48 102.7 10.35 23.84 64.79 10.93 27.53 101.66
Hosptial
2 do ST Stand, 17.2 36.55 527.91 16.18 37.67 513.5 12.1 28.3 283.1
Pandharpur
3 do Near 11.22 24.35 77.91 10.79 27.5 77.91 10,64 23.12 71.66
Hosptial
2 18-8-2005 11.22 25.48 102.7 10.35 23.84 64.79 10.93 27.53 101.66
3 19-8-2005 11.22 24.35 77.91 10.79 27.5 77.91 10,64 23.12 71.66
2 18-8-2005 9.18 21.72 185.42 15.01 35.6 531.04 12.83 30.74 201.66
3 19-8-2005 17.2 36.55 527.91 16.18 37.67 513.54 12.1 28.3 283.12
2 18-8-2005 11.87 28.42 142.29 12.83 26.64 197.9 12.54 29.35 216.87
3 19-8-2005 12.97 29.9 183.33 12.24 30.95 146.9 18.08 38.05 703.95
Monitoring noise was also done along with the air and water analysis. As expected there is
an increase in the levels of noise. Since large number of people are gathers in a relatively
small area and also due very heavy to vehicular traffic during these days.
In addition to the air, water and noise level monitoring, officials from MPCB also took mass
scale champion to educate the people to maintain the sanitation and hygienic conditions.
Officials distributed leaflets in Marathi and explained them about the importance of water
quality, sanitation and disposal of solid waste.
Nalla Development:
The town has number of Nallas (streams), which are sites for solid waste disposal and
carries wastewater need priority to develop in order to, avoid the stagnant conditions. Such
sites are the potential breeding ground for the mosquito. Area along the Nalla needs further
inputs such as channelizing the flow, stabilization of banks and afforestation.