Follow norms while treating sewage plants: Himachal PCB

Shimla: Himachal Pradesh State Pollution Control Board (PCB) chairman Sanjay Gupta, in a communiqué issued on Friday, said that PCB has taken cognizance of non adherence of defined parameters for Sewage Treatment Plants (STPs) by Shimla Jal Prabandhan Nigam Limited (SJPNL) and Jal Shakti Vibhag (JSV), and there is always a fear of contamination of water bodies. He said that as per the directions of National Green Tribunal (NGT), action plans for the rejuvenation of polluted stretches of few rivers, namely Sirsa river near Baddi, Markanda river, Beas river, Ashwani Khad, Giri and Pabbar rivers were formulated in 2019-20 and SJPNL & JSV were required to expedite the works as per the directions of NGT, which should be conformed with the guidelines of NGT. He said that JSV is operating 70 STPs with 99.97 MLD capacity in different parts of the state, covering major urban areas. Besides, the SJPNL has six STPs with installed capacity of 26.06 MLD, which needs to be upgraded. However, the rejuvenation of the polluted river stretch of Ashwani Khad is being done as per the orders of National Green Tribunal (NGT). He said that the bio remediation process of the catchment area of Ashwani Khad also needs to be accelerated to reduce the concentration of pollutants as well. The board is regularly inspecting, monitoring and conducting sampling of treated waste water, and taking regulatory action as and when required, he said. Gupta said that the directions have been issued to the respective departments regarding improper operation and functioning of these non-complying STPs and to expedite the process of modification, up-gradation, expansion and construction of the plants on priority. The operations of the existing STPs needs to be improved and expedited in augmentation of the sewage management system which is impacting water quality of rivers and natural aquatic resources of the state. “Review meetings will soon be held with the concerned department,” he added. tnn