Archive · 9 Oct 2026
Mahajan Orders Probe Into Ambad Water Pollution
People living near Nashik’s Ambad Industrial Estate said their water was contaminated and some reported health problems.
Minister Girish Mahajan visited the neighborhoods and spoke with residents.
He told the city to bring them safe drinking water right away.
He also ordered local hand pumps and borewells to be closed so people would not use potentially contaminated water.
Officials have been told to find out where the pollution came from.
Industries found responsible could face strict action.
Mahajan also asked officials to finish a wastewater treatment plant quickly.
A local industry association leader said its member companies would not engage in the practice, but said smaller establishments not registered with the pollution board could not be ruled out.
Guardian Minister Girish Mahajan visited areas near Nashik’s Ambad Industrial Estate after residents reported contaminated water and health problems.
Mahajan directed the Nashik Municipal Corporation to provide safe drinking water and ordered affected hand pumps and borewells shut.
He asked state departments and the Maharashtra Pollution Control Board to investigate the pollution’s sources and take strict action against responsible industries.
Mahajan inspected the Common Effluent Treatment Plant under development and called for its urgent completion.
AIMA president Rajendra Pansare said member companies would not follow such practices, while acknowledging that unregistered small establishments could be responsible.
- Who
- Guardian Minister Girish Mahajan, affected residents, Nashik Municipal Corporation officials, state departments, the Maharashtra Pollution Control Board, and AIMA president Rajendra Pansare.
- What
- Mahajan ordered an investigation into reported water pollution, safe water supplies, closure of affected hand pumps and borewells, and action against industries found responsible.
- When
- Mahajan visited the affected areas on Wednesday; no calendar date is specified.
- Where
- Datt Nagar, Maruti Sankul, the Tulja Bhavani area and nearby localities around the Ambad Industrial Estate in Nashik.
- Why
- Residents reported contaminated water and related health problems, prompting concerns about public health and environmental safety.
Calls for accountability
Industry association response
Who may be responsible
Calls for accountability
Mahajan said industries found responsible for releasing untreated or contaminated wastewater should face strict action.
Industry association response
AIMA president Rajendra Pansare said he saw no possibility of AIMA-affiliated companies following the practice, but did not rule out unregistered small establishments.
Pollution control and treatment
Calls for accountability
Mahajan called for coordinated action to identify pollution sources and for the Ambad treatment plant to be completed promptly.
Industry association response
Pansare said every establishment must comply with pollution-control rules and that urgent completion of the treatment plant could help resolve the problem.
- Affected areas
- Datt Nagar, Maruti Sankul, Tulja Bhavani area and nearby localities
- Industrial area
- Ambad Industrial Estate, Nashik
- Immediate water measures
- Provide safe drinking water and close hand pumps and borewells in affected areas
- Investigation
- Authorities and the Maharashtra Pollution Control Board were directed to investigate the extent and sources of pollution
- Treatment project
- A Common Effluent Treatment Plant is being developed for industrial wastewater in Ambad
- Industry association response
- AIMA president Rajendra Pansare said affiliated companies would not follow the alleged practice, while the possibility of unregistered small establishments could not be ruled out