Are Ulhasnagar residents unwittingly drinking toxic water? Environmentalists have alleged that companies linked to the Badlapur MIDC (Maharashtra Industrial Development Corporation) are releasing untreated effluents into the Ulhas river, endangering the lives of hapless citizens.

Environmentalist Stalin D told mid-day, “Almost three years after the matter reached the Supreme Court, we are monitoring the river for domestic and industrial pollution. But the Maharashtra Pollution Control Board (MPCB) continues to look the other way. Despite continuous complaints, backed by proof of ongoing polluting by Badlapur industries and Dombivli MIDC, nothing much has changed.” The activist added that a prosecution was filed by the MPCB after a lot of effort on his part, but alleged that the evidence provided by the body was weak.