Indrayani River at Alandi Covered in White Foam Again Ahead of Sant Dnyaneshwar Sanjeevan Samadhi Sohala

Pimpri-Chinchwad, 6th November 2026: Thick layers of white foam have been spotted again on the Indrayani river along the Alandi stretch, just as the temple town prepares for the Sant Dnyaneshwar Maharaj Sanjeevan Samadhi sohala, one of the biggest annual gatherings of warkaris.

Lakhs of devotees are expected at the ghats. Many take a dip and sip river water as part of aachman, which is why residents are worried about health risks, according to a report by Punekar News on Thursday.

What residents are asking for

No official statement on the cause has been reported so far. Residents quoted in the report want:

• Water samples collected and tested immediately, with the results made public
• The exact source of the recurring froth identified
• Untreated sewage and effluent entering the river stopped
• Strict action against anyone releasing polluted water in violation of environmental norms

Why the Indrayani keeps foaming

This is not a new problem. Foam has appeared on the Indrayani at Alandi in earlier years too, often before the wari season. Detergents and phosphates in untreated sewage, along with industrial discharge upstream, are the usual suspects when rivers froth like this. Low flow after the monsoon makes it worse because there is less water to dilute the waste. Without test results, though, the exact cause this time is not known.

For devotees visiting Alandi

Until test results are out, it is safer to avoid drinking river water directly. Families with children and elderly members can use a sprinkling of water for the ritual instead of a full dip. Carry drinking water from home.

For more on the river and civic issues, see our Pimpri-Chinchwad section and our report on Pune’s air quality. We will update this article if authorities release test results.

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