Maharashtra Leads in Polluted River Stretches: CPCB Report Reveals
Maharashtra tops the list with 54 polluted river stretches, according to a recent Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) report. Six of these stretches, located in Pune, Solapur, and Mumbai, are classified as the most critical.
Polluted RiversCpcb ReportMaharashtraWater QualityRiver PollutionReal Estate PuneSep 29, 2025
Of the 54 polluted river stretches in Maharashtra, two fall under the priority 1 category; five under priority 2; nine under priority 3; 14 under priority 4; and 24 under priority 5. The Kalu in Thane and the Mithi in Mumbai are listed as priority 1 rivers; while the Bhima in Solapur along with the Mula, Mula-Mutha, and Pawana in Pune are listed as priority 2 rivers. The Bindusara in Beed, which recently witnessed severe floods, and the Godavari in Nanded are the only rivers from Marathwada classified as priority 3. By contrast, most rivers in Marathwada and Vidarbha are classified as priority 4 and 5, reflecting the widening spread of pollution across the state’s water bodies.
The report notes that 29 river stretches in Maharashtra have shown improvement in water quality, including the Mula between Bopodi and Aundhgaon; Mutha between Khadakwasla and Shivajinagar; and Indrayani between Moshigaon and Alandi. At the same time, seven stretches have shown further deterioration even as two new stretches have been identified as polluted—the Burai in Dhule district before its confluence with the Tapi near Mukudas village; and Mutha in Pune district near Khadakwasla dam.
Shailaja Deshpande, founder-member of the Living River Foundation and part of the Pune River Revival Citizens’ Group, said that pollution monitoring needs to go beyond traditional parameters such as Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD) and Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD). “Pollution control boards must also assess other critical factors that directly impact human health and aquatic life, such as heavy metals, phosphates, microplastics, and other chemicals. Unfortunately, these do not find any mention in CPCB or MPCB reports,” she said.
She further noted that Pune has already witnessed an outbreak of Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS) and several fish kill incidents in the last two years. “These are clear signs of water quality plummeting to dangerous levels. It is high time pollution control boards look beyond the conventional indicators and re-prioritize river stretches accordingly,” Deshpande said.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many polluted river stretches are there in Maharashtra?
Maharashtra has 54 polluted river stretches, as per the latest CPCB report.
Which districts in Maharashtra have the most critical polluted river stretches?
Six of the most critical polluted river stretches are located in Pune, Solapur, and Mumbai districts.
What are the priority categories for polluted river stretches in Maharashtra?
The priority categories are: two under priority 1, five under priority 2, nine under priority 3, 14 under priority 4, and 24 under priority 5.
Which rivers have shown improvement in water quality?
29 river stretches in Maharashtra have shown improvement, including the Mula, Mutha, and Indrayani rivers.
What additional factors should pollution control boards consider?
Pollution control boards should also assess heavy metals, phosphates, microplastics, and other chemicals, in addition to traditional parameters like BOD and COD.
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