Image: Bharwara STP Lucknow
Gomti's health is a prime concern before government
who has launched river channelization and riverfront beautification program.
To improve its health, the government recently sanctioned Rs 20 crore to the
Jal Nigam to revive Asia's largest sewage treatment plants in Bharwara,
Lucknow.
The plant had been lying idle for almost one and half years
because of legal battle between the contractor and Jal Nigam over payment
issues. Out of the 26 nullahs flowing into Gomti, 22 are diverted towards
Bharwara (345 MLD) while remaining are sent to Daulatganj STP (56 MLD) for
treatment.
The sewage is tapped by the pumping stations deployed on
nullahs and diverted to the STPs for treatment so that clean water can be
discharged into the river. Due to defunct STP, Jal Nigam estimates that over
350 million litre of untreated sewage has been directly flowing into Gomti
every day, which is prime cause of river pollution.
The STP was inaugurated in January 2011 but its construction
got halted for almost 2 years due to contractor's repeated failure to complete
the project in time. It is only after High Court ordered Jal Nigam to take over
work from the private contractor that its remaining construction started in
December last year. With the new release of funds and chief-secretary's
instructions to begin STP before monsoons, Jal Nigam hopes to commission the
project by mid-July.
The agency has also sent a proposal worth Rs 456 crore to
the government for overhauling of old and obsolete pumping stations deployed on
nullahs. As these were installed in early 2000, most of them are working in
less than required capacity. Jal Nigam's GM, Zuber Ahmad says, "As soon as
we get approval on this proposal, we would change all defunct pumps to yield
better results. It would take about a year to overhaul entire structure."
Jal Nigam hopes that once STP gets commissioned and all old
structures are replaced, Gomti's overall health will improve significantly.
Ahmad says, "Until now, the sewage was flowing into Gomti's downstream.
Though it was not affecting the city but total river-health was getting
deteriorated. With heavy investments lined up, we soon hope to restore the
river."
What are we looking for?
Based on empirical evidences and experiences in recent past we are looking at a water catastrophe in India. The country faces drought or deluge, millions moving out of agriculture and then into urban systems without any transition or training. This will not only give to loss of life and land but can be a reason of major unrest in India.
At this point of time we are aiming to build a strong representation to protect water and natural systems at the local level. We want policy interventions and strong implementation at states level to keep natural resources untouched and free to take their own form for generations to come.
If you are someone who knows about local water systems in your community and want to actually work on making them better, send the details on coordinators@ballotboxindia.com
If you know someone who can make a difference, make an introduction with this effort, you can also write to coordinators@ballotboxindia.com, or fill "Contact a coordinator" form by clicking the buttons on this page.
If you have a few hours to work in your community for common good, let us know and join as a coordinator.
Would my efforts be funded? Yes if you have some time, skill and aptitude to make a difference, ballotboxindia is the right platform. Get in touch with coordinators@ballotboxindia.com with your details.
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By
Rakesh Prasad 177
Image: Bharwara STP Lucknow
Gomti's health is a prime concern before government who has launched river channelization and riverfront beautification program. To improve its health, the government recently sanctioned Rs 20 crore to the Jal Nigam to revive Asia's largest sewage treatment plants in Bharwara, Lucknow.
The plant had been lying idle for almost one and half years because of legal battle between the contractor and Jal Nigam over payment issues. Out of the 26 nullahs flowing into Gomti, 22 are diverted towards Bharwara (345 MLD) while remaining are sent to Daulatganj STP (56 MLD) for treatment.
The sewage is tapped by the pumping stations deployed on nullahs and diverted to the STPs for treatment so that clean water can be discharged into the river. Due to defunct STP, Jal Nigam estimates that over 350 million litre of untreated sewage has been directly flowing into Gomti every day, which is prime cause of river pollution.
The STP was inaugurated in January 2011 but its construction got halted for almost 2 years due to contractor's repeated failure to complete the project in time. It is only after High Court ordered Jal Nigam to take over work from the private contractor that its remaining construction started in December last year. With the new release of funds and chief-secretary's instructions to begin STP before monsoons, Jal Nigam hopes to commission the project by mid-July.
The agency has also sent a proposal worth Rs 456 crore to the government for overhauling of old and obsolete pumping stations deployed on nullahs. As these were installed in early 2000, most of them are working in less than required capacity. Jal Nigam's GM, Zuber Ahmad says, "As soon as we get approval on this proposal, we would change all defunct pumps to yield better results. It would take about a year to overhaul entire structure."
Jal Nigam hopes that once STP gets commissioned and all old structures are replaced, Gomti's overall health will improve significantly. Ahmad says, "Until now, the sewage was flowing into Gomti's downstream. Though it was not affecting the city but total river-health was getting deteriorated. With heavy investments lined up, we soon hope to restore the river."