Policy on utilisation of treated sewage water soon: Fadnavis

Says 90% pollution can be eradicated if citizens and administration work closely to resolve the issue

Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis today said a policy regarding utilisation of treated sewage water for MIDC and power generation units was on the anvil.

Only 10% of the pollution in urban areas is due to industrial waste, Fadnavis said adding that 90% pollution can be eradicated if citizens and administration work closely to resolve the issue.

"As part of the Swachh Maharashtra Abiyan, we will soon introduce a policy where sewage water will be treated where bulk users like Maharashtra Industrial Development Corporation (MIDC) and power generation units can utilise it," the Chief Minister said.

He was speaking at a function to felicitate 19 towns and two wards in Mumbai which have been declared as Open Defecation Free (ODF) under the 'Swachh Maharashtra' Abhiyan.

Fadnavis said the policy will be unveiled in the third phase after the Open Defecation Free campaign and the solid waste management programme.

"Waste is wealth. Nothing is waste," he said and assured adequate funds to the towns and cities participating in the Swachh Maharashtra campaign from the 14th Finance Commission.

Earlier, Fadnavis felicitated 19 towns including 5 from Satara district as well as wards A and B (Mohammed Ali Road and Chandanwadi) in Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) for being "Open Defecation Free". He said the entire state would be covered by 2017.