Water hyacinth grows because sewage water is discharged through canals into Pavana and Indrayani rivers, Hardikar said.

“An action plan has to be prepared for reducing discharge of sewage through canals. Upstream villages release sewage water into rivers. PCMC wants release of sewage from canals and upstream villages to be stopped. A common effluent treatment plant will be constructed with help from Maharashtra Industrial Development Corporation (MIDC) and Maharashtra Pollution Control Board (MPCB),” he said. Contractors have been appointed for removal of water hyacinth through mechanical means. NGOs are doing the work of removal of water hyacinth, he said.

Vikas Patil, member of Pune district environment committee, said, “Sewage water is released into Pavana and Indrayani rivers. There is no action plan to reduce the menace.”