Karnal: STPs likely to miss another deadline; HSPCB serves notice
Parveen Arora
Karnal, February 18
Just 10 days are left for the completion of the deadline of two sewage treatment plants with the capacity of 20 MLD in Phoosgarh and 8MLD in Shiv Colony, but the work is likely to miss the deadline of February 28 again. Earlier, the project has missed five deadlines, said an official.
Keeping in view the slow progress of work, the Haryana State Pollution Control Board (HSPCB) has served notice to the Karnal Municipal Corporation (KMC) for the delay in the construction of both plants.
“The River Yamuna Monitoring team inspected the sites and showed displeasure over the slow pace of construction of both the STPs. We have served notice to the KMC for the slow pace of construction of both the sewage treatment plants in the city,” said Shailender Arora, Regional Officer of Karnal Region, HSPCB.
The KMC officials said if the agency failed to achieve the required progress and not complete the work of both STPs, then recovery of Rs 1 crore per month since April 7, 2021 will be made from the pending payments of the construction agency. “Many notices have been issued to the agency for the slow progress of work. We are trying our best to get the project completed by the agency within the stipulated time period. The matter is already in the notice of the Directorate, Urban Local Bodies, Haryana and necessary action will be initiated against the agency as per the directions,” said Gagandeep Singh, Joint Commissioner, KMC.
Both plants are being constructed under the Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation (AMRUT) project, one of the flagship programmes of the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs. Apart from both plants, a sewerage line of around 151 km was to be laid and two intermediate pumping stations – Saidpura and Sugar Mill Meerut road was to be built. The total cost of the project is Rs 128 crore. The work was started on July 1, 2017 and the deadline was January 31, 2019, later extended to March 31, 2020 and further to March 31, 2021 and later to June 30, 2021, and further to November 30, 2021 and now the deadline is February 28, said Satish Sharma, XEN, KMC.
Matter already in notice
Many notices have been issued to the agency for the slow progress of work. We are trying our best to get the project completed by the agency within the stipulated time period. The matter is already in the notice of the Directorate, Urban Local Bodies, Haryana. — Gagandeep Singh, Joint Commissioner, KMC
River Yamuna Monitoring team showed displeasure
The River Yamuna Monitoring team inspected the sites and showed displeasure over the slow pace of construction of both the STPs. Shailender Arora, regional officer of Karnal region, HSPC
