Environmental Protection – The Sunday Headlines

Chandigarh Municipal Corporation Launches Recycled Water Distribution Project Worth Rs.71.58 Crore

March 4, 2024March 5, 2024 - by Chirag Goyal

Chandigarh took a significant step towards sustainable water management as the municipal corporation initiated a ₹71.58-crore project to establish pipelines across the city for supplying recycled water. Within 18 months, all 1,800 parks, roundabouts, and industrial areas in Chandigarh will benefit from tertiary treated water for irrigation purposes.

With the aim of conserving potable and groundwater resources through wastewater recycling, the Chandigarh Municipal Corporation (MC) commenced the expansion of the tertiary treated water supply system across the city.

The project, inaugurated by UT administrator Banwarilal Purohit, witnessed the presence of city mayor Kuldeep Kumar Dhalor, UT adviser Rajeev Verma, local government secretary Nitin Kumar Yadav, and municipal commissioner Anindita Mitra. Estimated to save approximately 20 to 25 million gallons of potable water per day, the initiative will significantly contribute to groundwater conservation efforts.

Through tertiary treatment processes, sewage water undergoes chemical treatment and sedimentation, rendering it suitable for irrigation and related activities. This project aligns with the objectives of the City Water Action Plan (CWAP) to reduce reliance on ground and potable water sources.

UT administrator Banwarilal Purohit highlighted the project’s importance in conserving drinking water resources. Upgrading all six Sewage Treatment Plants (STPs) with Sequencing Batch Reactor (SBR) technology under the Smart City Mission has resulted in a notable improvement in the quality of tertiary treated water, addressing public concerns regarding foul odors.

City mayor Kuldeep Kumar elaborated on the initiative’s scope, emphasizing that all parks, green belts, road berms, and roundabouts in the city will receive treated water for irrigation purposes. Upon successful completion, recycled water will also be supplied to units in Industrial Area, Phase 1, and 2.

The Chandigarh Municipal Corporation’s endeavor marks a significant stride towards sustainable water management practices, ensuring the efficient utilization of water resources for the city’s development and environmental sustainability.

Commencing from the Industrial Area,
The Chandigarh Municipal Corporation (MC) is set to embark on a transformative initiative to usher in a greener and more water-efficient future for the city. Municipal Commissioner Anindita Mitra emphasized that this endeavor signifies a crucial milestone in Chandigarh’s quest for sustainability.

Previously, tertiary treated water was exclusively supplied from the Diggian Sewage Treatment Plant (STP). However, with the completion of this project, treated water will also be sourced from STPs in Raipur Kalan, 3BRD, and Maloya, broadening the scope of its distribution.

Entrusted to a private firm, the project is slated to span 18 months. The laying of pipelines will commence from the Industrial Area, facilitating the utilization of tertiary treated water in industries.

Initiated in 1990, the MC’s efforts to lay tertiary water pipelines initially covered Sectors 1 to 12 and 16. Over the decades, nearly 80% of the sectors have been encompassed. Currently, 10 million gallons per day (MGD) of treated water are utilized for maintaining parks, green belts, and fountains.

With plans to augment the supply to 20 MGD, the MC aims to enhance the consumption of tertiary treated water. This expansion will cater to the irrigation needs of all 1,800 parks in the city, along with providing treated water to under-construction public toilets.

In adherence to Water Bylaws, the MC mandated tertiary water connections for houses sized 500 square yards and above. While approximately 7,000 houses are eligible for such connections, around 2,000 remain uncovered.

Chandigarh, with a population of 1.26 million, currently consumes 386 million liters daily, equating to 245 liters per person per day (LPCD). Despite this, the daily consumption exceeds the estimated requirement, standing at 225 MLD or 150 LPCD, inclusive of 35% wastage.

In an incident during the inauguration event, where the sound system malfunctioned, Municipal Commissioner Anindita Mitra took swift action by suspending Executive Engineer Kuldeep Singh of the electrical department. Singh, responsible for fixing the system, failed to ensure its proper functioning, resulting in a delay. Mitra emphasized the importance of accountability, underscoring the need for adherence to protocols during such crucial events.

Main Slide / News / West Bengal

Ganga in West Bengal Deemed Unfit for Bathing Due to Untreated Sewage, NGT Issues Fine Warning

February 29, 2024February 29, 2024 - by Chirag Goyal

The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has issued a stark warning to authorities in West Bengal following the revelation that the entire stretch of the Ganga River in the state is unsuitable for bathing due to elevated levels of faecal coliform bacteria. This alarming situation has been exacerbated by the discharge of a staggering 258.67 million litres per day of untreated sewage directly into the river, posing a severe health risk.

The NGT, entrusted with the mandate of environmental protection, uncovered this disturbing reality during a hearing focused on efforts to combat pollution in the Ganga River across various states. During the proceedings, the NGT scrutinized a report submitted by West Bengal in response to earlier directives aimed at addressing this pressing issue.

Expressing profound concern, Justice Prakash Shrivastava, Chairperson of the NGT bench, reviewed reports submitted by District Magistrates of several West Bengal districts, including North 24 Parganas, Murshidabad, Nadia, Malda, Hooghly, Purba Burdwan, Howrah, Purba Medinipur, and South 24 Parganas. These reports underscored a glaring deficiency in sewage treatment infrastructure across the state, with some districts, notably Purba Medinipur, lacking even a single Sewage Treatment Plant (STP).

In response to these findings, the NGT has cautioned West Bengal authorities of potential fines if they fail to demonstrate significant progress in addressing the issue of untreated sewage flowing into the Ganga.

The tribunal emphasized the urgent need for adequate sewage treatment facilities and expressed dismay over the absence of STPs in certain districts. It noted that the current situation, wherein 258.67 million litres per day of untreated sewage is discharged into the Ganga, is far from satisfactory.

The NGT’s warning underscores the gravity of the situation and serves as a call to action for swift and effective measures to combat pollution in the Ganga River in West Bengal.

NGT panel, consisting of judicial and expert members, acknowledged the absence of sewage treatment plants in certain districts and stressed the urgent need to address this critical situation. Additionally, the tribunal instructed District Magistrates (DMs) of nine districts, through which the river flows, to provide affidavits detailing deadlines for achieving 100% sewage treatment.

Moreover, the NGT mandated that DMs disclose the utilization of funds from the National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG) and the measures taken for floodplain demarcation in their respective districts.

Expressing dismay at the lack of progress, the NGT highlighted the elevated levels of faecal coliform in the Ganga, making the water unsuitable for bathing. The tribunal directed NMCG to conduct a performance audit of each district to evaluate pollution levels and waste management practices.

Failure to demonstrate significant progress may lead to the imposition of Environmental Compensation (EC) by the tribunal. The NGT has instructed concerned DMs and NMCG to submit updated reports within eight weeks, with further proceedings scheduled for May 2.