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Faridabad’s micro sewage treatment plants face delays

Only three operational despite allocation of Rs 64 cr for eight plants 3 years ago
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One of the main sewage treatment plants (STPs) operating near a village within the civic limits of Faridabad. FILE
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The ambitious project to establish Micro Sewage Treatment Plants (STPs) across Faridabad has faced significant delays, with non-availability of land, budget constraints and approval problems being the primary roadblocks. Despite the allocation of Rs 64 crore three years ago to set up eight plants under the Smart City initiative, only three are operational.

The original plan was for these plants to treat sewage and repurpose the water for horticulture, parks and green spaces. However, the failure to secure land in residential areas has caused significant delays. The Faridabad Smart City Project Limited (FSCL) was responsible for building the plants, which were to be handed over to the Municipal Corporation of Faridabad (MCF) for maintenance. The plants were intended to be located near parks or green belts to supply treated water for irrigation.

Each plant, costing an estimated Rs 60 lakh, was designed to have a capacity ranging from 0.5 to 2 million litres per day (MLD). Selected locations for the plants include Pyali Chowk, Golf Course Road, Sector 45, Sector 33, NHPC Chowk, Town Park, Sihi village, Jharsaintly village and the HSVP sectors. These areas have been experiencing severe sewage problems, with the population of these localities exceeding 10 lakh. Tragically, in October 2023, a local resident died after falling into an open sewer manhole on Nangla Road in the NIT zone.

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So far, MCF has managed to establish four Micro STPs and another four to five are in the pipeline. The aim is to treat and use sewage water for park irrigation, saving between 15 to 20 MLD of drinking water daily, which could then be diverted to water-scarce areas.

The city currently receives around 325 MLD of water, falling short of the required 450 MLD. Around 85 per cent of untreated sewage is discharged into open drains and the Yamuna River, contributing to severe pollution of both the river and underground water sources.

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MCF Chief Engineer Birender Kardam stated while the tender process for four new Micro STPs is underway, the primary goal remains to recycle sewage water for horticulture purposes, thereby conserving valuable drinking water.

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