Treated water from new Karnal STP to irrigate over 6,300 acres

Tribune News Service

Parveen Arora

Karnal, April 12

With the new 50 million litres per day (MLD) sewage treatment plant (STP) in Sector 37 becoming functional, the work to lay pipeline has been initiated to use treated water for irrigating fields.

The work to lay around 250-km-long pipeline from the STP has been started and the treated water will be used to irrigate around 6,384 acres of agricultural land in 11 villages.

This plant was constructed using the latest technology under the Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation (AMRUT) programme to overcome the problem of filthy water in the city, said Satish Sharma, XEN Karnal Municipal Corporation.

“We started the project work on March 11, under which around 250-km-long pipeline is being laid and solar-operated pumps will be installed to irrigate fields. A reservoir will also be constructed near the STP. In all, 18 small reservoirs will be developed in the fields so that water can be sent to there without any obstruction,” said Navtej Singh, XEN, Indri Water Services Division of the Irrigation Department.

“The deadline for the project has been fixed as March 31, 2024. The work, however, will be completed before the deadline,” he added.

Agricultural fields of Kalro, Kairwali, Ranwar, Unchasamana, Pipalwali, Kutail, Faizalpur Majra, Shekhpura, Dadupur, Ganjogarhi, and Chora villages would be irrigated with this treated water, the XEN added.

“We will take the water to the fields and the farmers will further use it through drip and sprinkler irrigation system,” he added.

The XEN claimed that it’s a first-of-its-kind largest project in the area.

“The project will be beneficial in multiple ways as it will reduce the load of irrigation on the groundwater, besides help in recharging it. The treated water will contain microorganisms, which will be helpful for the crop by reducing the consumption of fertilisers.” The farmers would get the water supply throughout the year, he said.

Rs 56.18-crore project

• The new STP in Karnal will treat 50 MLD water daily
• Of this, 37.5 MLD will be used for micro-irrigation
• A sum of Rs56.18 crore is being spent on the project
• Solar pumps will be installed to irrigate fields
• 18 small reservoirs will be developed to supply water
• Farmers will get the water supply throughout the year