In a decisive move to uphold Maharashtra’s water protection laws, MPCB under the leadership of Chairman Siddhesh Kadam imposed an Environmental Damage Compensation (EDC) of ₹14.36 crore on Dehu Nagar Panchayat for the prolonged discharge of untreated sewage into the Indrayani River between April 2020 and November 2024. Pollution not only led to ecological degradation but also triggered massive fish deaths, raising serious questions on civic negligence. This action signals Mr. Kadam’s firm stance on enforcing environmental responsibility, even against public bodies.

What makes this penalty significant is its precedent-setting impact. Mr. Kadam ensured that the EDC was not symbolic but rooted in scientific assessment and legal backing. By doing so, he sent a clear message - environmental violations will not be tolerated, regardless of the violator’s status. It represents a new era at MPCB, one where data-backed enforcement, inter-agency accountability, and ecological justice are central to governance.