Of the 6,411 locations inspected by SMC, at least 1,543 illegal sewage
drainage connections were found connected to storm water drainage which
pollutes Tapi. Of the 1,543 illegal connections, 190 are of government
offices, senior SMC officials told TOI.

These details came to
light during a study done by SMC in 2012. The survey cost SMC Rs 33
lakh, but the civic body is yet to stop the sewage flow into the river.

This has affected the quality of water. The dissolved oxygen is reported ‘zero’ in Tapi
near Ginger Hotel, Sardar Bridge and Ved Road. The biochemical oxygen
demand (BOD) level is 315 milligram per litre as against the standard
limit of 30 mg per litre. The chemical oxygen demand (COD) level is high
in Tapi at Sardar Bridge, Vivekanand Bridge and Singapore areas. It is
between 520mg/lt to 800 mg/lt when it should be below 250 mg/lt. “We are
working to block the sewage connections to the storm water drainage. We
will seal all the illegal connections,” deputy engineer and in charge
head of drainage department D C Bhagvagar said.

When contacted,
the income-tax department spokesperson said, “The office is not aware
about this. We will have to check it at our end.”

About Umra
police station’s sewage connection to storm water drainage, a senior
police official said, “I don’t have the exact idea about it since it was
constructed seven years ago.”

Offices found releasing sewage into storm water drainage:

Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL), Ghod Dod Road

Income tax department, Majura Gate

S and S S Ghandhy Engineering College, Majura Gate

Umra police station, Athwa Lines,

Railway Reservation Centre, Athwa Gate

State Government Circuit House, Athwa Lines

Navsari Agricultural University, Ghod Dod Road

SMC’s pay and use public toilet, Gotalawadi, Athwa Gate, Ved Road

State Bank Of India, Roopam Cinema