India, April 11 -- Maharashtra environment minister Pankaja Munde said making rivers pollution-free should be the top priority, even before beautification projects. Munde was speaking at a review meeting held at the headquarters of the Pune Metropolitan Region Development Authority (PMRDA) in Akurdi on Friday.

Munde said untreated sewage from local bodies, private establishments and industries is a major cause of pollution. "Many industries have sewage treatment plants (STPs), but they are often not maintained properly and remain non-functional. Strict action will now be taken against such violators, instead of just issuing notices," she said.

She announced that the state is close to setting up an independent "River Rejuvenation Authori...