No untreated sewage flow into Sukhna choe: Panchkula MC to NGT

In an affidavit submitted before the National Green Tribunal (NGT), the Panchkula Municipal Corporation (MC) has stated that no untreated or partially treated sewage from municipal drains within its jurisdiction is being allowed to enter Sukhna choe.

The MC submitted that one sewage treatment plant (STP) of capacity 1.5 MLD was located on the outskirts of Saketri village, catering to sewage generated from Saketri and Mahadevpur villages. “An open chamber with a screen filter unit has been established at the discharge point, so as to prevent solid and organic waste from entering Sukhna choe,” submitted the MC.

It further stated that the sewage generated in the jurisdiction of the corporation catchment was being sent to the Saketri STP, which is fully functional and operational, and that only treated effluents were being discharged in accordance with prescribed standards.

The MC further stated that all previously identified outflows from corporation limits into the Sukhna choe/Ghaggar had been tapped and as per the report of the Chief Sanitary Inspector, Panchkula MC, no open dumping of municipal solid waste or C&D waste into the Sukhna choe within the jurisdiction of Panchkula MC had been noticed.

The corporation also submitted that regular sampling of the inlet and outlet of the Saketri STP was being carried out by the Haryana State Pollution Control Board (HSPCB) and the recent reports for August and September issued by the HSPCB stated that pH, BOD, COD, total suspended solids, faecal coliform and total nitrogen in the outlet were within the permissible limits.