Madhya Pradesh: No matter how much show is made to save water sources including Narmada river in the state, but due to lack of proper sewage treatment system, its effective arrangement is not being done. 1306 million liters of untreated sewage is being found in water sources every day in the state. 118 MLD sewage in Jabalpur is going directly into Narmada. Sewage of other cities including Narmadapuram is also found in Narmada. In Bhopal, 200 MLD untreated sewage is being drained into drains.
- NGT committee exposed the irregularities in the sewage treatment system of the state
- 1306 MLD untreated sewage is directly found in rivers and ponds in the state
The timeline for construction of sewage treatment plants in the state is being fixed as three years. Those that have been built are not being operated properly nor are they being connected to the domestic network. These things have come to light in the report of the committee constituted by NGT. After hearing the case, NGT reprimanded the then Chief Secretary and other officials after finding the situation contrary to the report presented by the government.
This gap in sewage treatment
City Sewage generation STP capacity Treatment gap
Jabalpur 148.50 117.15 30.07 118.43
Rewa 38.55 12 00 38.55
Ratlam 35.81 37.5 11.5 24.31
Gwalior 159.52 222 112.46 47.05
Morena 31.10 25 10 21.10
Bhopal 390 200 190 200
The case is being heard in the NGT Principal Bench. In the half-yearly report presented by the state government, very little gap was reported in sewage treatment. Not believing this, NGT constituted a separate committee and got it investigated. After finding the situation completely opposite in this report, NGT rejected the report and directed the Chief Secretary to submit a new report with the actual situation.
NGT has said that the amount allocated for waste management in the report depends on the schemes of the Center. It is not decided whether this will be received or not. In the next report, tell separately for all the urban bodies how much amount has been allocated to whom.
The committee pointed out these shortcomings
■ Sewage collection, transportation system is inadequate. Even the connection to the houses has not been done yet.
■ Sewage is being supplied to STP directly from drains. This affects the STP capacity.
■ STP capacity is not being fully utilized. STP was constructed without domestic connection.
■ There is a big difference between sewage coming out of cities and its treatment. In Jabalpur, 118.43 MLD sewage is getting mixed in Narmada.
NGT raised these questions on the government report
■ The government report said that 2183.7 MLD sewage is coming out in the state every day. 68 STPs of 1472 MLD capacity have been built. Currently only 876.82 MLD sewage is being treated. There is a gap of 1306 MLD, i.e. this much untreated sewage is getting mixed in water sources.
■ The main reason for not using the full capacity of STP is the lack of domestic connection. This is increasing the gap, which is harming the environment. The gap is highest in Bhopal, Indore, Singrauli, Jabalpur, Ujjain, Dewas, Gwalior, Morena, Ratlam and Sagar.
■ The report said that 339 MLD STPs are being built at 47 places in the state. The deadline for construction was stated as July 2027. NGT said, it is beyond comprehension how 3 years are being taken for STPs of low capacity of 1.6 MLD in Maksi, Meghnagar, Alirajpur?
■ 226 STPs of 805 MLD are proposed in the state. Their DPR has been approved but technical evaluation is pending. Such things are raising doubts, NGT said.
CM has given instructions to stop sewage in Narmada
Chief Minister Dr Mohan Yadav had given instructions in the cabinet on September 13 to not let sewage enter Narmada from Amarkantak to the state border. He had asked to keep an eye on the activities here with satellite drones.