Mumbai: Even as Maharashtra claims progress in environmental conservation, the state’s latest Economic Survey tabled in the legislature on Thursday paints a picture of pollution, revealing that nearly a lakh metric tonnes (MT) of plastic waste and almost half the sewage generated in the state continue to contaminate land, rivers and coastal waters.According to the survey, the sharp rise in non-biodegradable plastic waste, combined with inadequate collection, segregation and disposal systems, is causing serious environmental and health concerns. In the last fiscal year, the state used around 5.5 lakh MT of plastic, but only 4.4 lakh MT could be collected for recycling, leaving nearly a lakh MT unaccounted for, which is believed to have ended up polluting landfills, rivers or coastal areas.Despite enforcement measures under the Maharashtra Plastic and Thermocol Product (Manufacture, Usage, Sale, Transport, Handling and Storage) Notification, 2018, violations continue. During 2025–26, authorities inspected 2.81 lakh establishments, seized 929 MT of banned plastic, and recovered Rs 6.59 crore in penalties from 15,383 establishments for using banned plastic and thermocol products.The survey notes that improper waste management remains a key challenge. Maharashtra currently has 513 material recovery facility centres across 430 urban local bodies where dry waste such as plastic, paper, iron and electronic waste is segregated for recycling. Additionally, the state has 353 plastic recycling industries with a combined annual capacity of 19.99 lakh MT.Water pollution, however, remains another major environmental concern. The report highlights that only 51.4% of the sewage generated in the state is treated, indicating that nearly half of the waste water continues to flow untreated into rivers, lakes and other water bodies.Maharashtra currently has 171 sewage treatment plants (STPs) with a combined treatment capacity of 7,335 million litres per day (MLD). However, the gap between sewage generation and treatment capacity means large volumes of untreated wastewater continue to enter natural water systems.The situation is particularly alarming in Mumbai’s Mithi river, which the survey says has faecal coliform levels nearly 10 times higher than the permissible range, indicating severe contamination. High levels of faecal coliform bacteria typically point to sewage contamination and the presence of disease-causing microorganisms.Environmental experts say such contamination drastically reduces dissolved oxygen in water, making it impossible for aquatic ecosystems to survive. The report notes that the river’s condition suggests it has virtually become a “dead river”, with little capacity left to sustain aquatic life.Water quality monitoring across the state also reveals worrying trends. The Maharashtra Pollution Control Board (MPCB) currently monitors water quality under the National Water Monitoring Programme at 272 stations, including 177 river stations, 45 locations in seas, creeks and drains, and 50 groundwater sources.Among the monitored sites, 144 stations have recorded biochemical oxygen demand (BOD) levels below permissible limits, while the remaining stations continue to show signs of pollution.Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD) is a critical indicator of water quality. It measures the amount of oxygen required by microorganisms to break down organic waste in water. Higher BOD levels indicate greater pollution, reducing dissolved oxygen levels and posing a threat to fish and other aquatic life.The survey identifies industrial effluents, sewage discharge and agricultural runoff containing fertilisers and pesticides as major contributors to water pollution in the state. Such pollution not only damages ecosystems but can also lead to waterborne diseases and soil degradation.To address these issues, the state is implementing several initiatives under the Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974, along with river and lake conservation programmes.Under the State Lake Conservation Scheme, 207 lake conservation projects have been undertaken across Maharashtra till December 2025 to restore degraded lakes. Efforts to clean polluted river stretches are also underway through the National River Action Plan and the State River Conservation Scheme, which focus on intercepting sewage, diverting wastewater and building treatment plants.Significant funds have also been spent on river restoration. In Pune, the state has spent ₹843.98 crore on cleaning the Mula-Mutha river till December 2025, while ₹6.92 crore has been spent under the Namami Chandrabhaga Mission for the conservation of the Chandrabhaga river.The survey also highlights progress under the Majhi Vasundhara Abhiyaan, which over the past five years has led to the planting of 456.59 lakh trees, creation of 53,942 green areas, generation of 307.52 MW of renewable energy, and rejuvenation of 3,487 water sources, along with avoiding 8 lakh tonnes of carbon emissions.
