Pune: Policenama online – Pune News | The Pune Municipal Corporation’s (PMC) six sewage treatment plants (STPs) are outdated. They will be upgraded. However, the tasks such as preparing their development project report (DPR), getting them approved by various departments are moving at a snail’s pace. (Pune News)
The proposals in this regard have still not been tabled before the Standing Committee. While the river is getting polluted speedily, the measures to curb the pollution are still on paper.
The industrial pollution in Mula river has increased. Domestic sewage is also being released into it without treatment. The BOD content in the river water needs to be brought down. At the same time, the COD and soluble oxygen in it should be increased.
The PMC set up 10 STPs in the city before 2008. One STP among them at the Naidu Hospital has been demolished. Currently, sewerage is being treated at nine STPs. As per the Central Pollution Control Board’s (CPCB) criteria, the civic body is supposed to treat the sewage. Bringing down BOD from 30 ml to 10 ml is an important criterion.
The three STPs in Baner, Mundhwa and Kharadi have the SBR technology needed to decrease the BOD content. However, the technology being used in the six STPs in Vitthalwadi, Erandwane, Bopodi, Bhairoba Nala, Tanajiwadi and Naidu Hospital is outdated.
The Central Government changed the criteria for treating the sewerage two years ago. Hence, technologically upgrading and expanding the STPs has become necessary. The government-owned Mahatma Phule Renewable Energy and Infrastructure Technology Limited (Mahapreit) has been appointed as a consultant for the purpose.
Mahapreit has prepared the DPRs of the six STPs, which will be built at an estimated cost of Rs 425 crore. The PMC will get the funds from the Centre’s Amrit Scheme. The civic body has sent the DPRs to the Maharashtra Jeevan Pradhikaran (MJP) for its approval. Later, the Standing Committee and the General Body will approve them. Then they will be sent to the final approval of the Central Government.
The upgrade started a year ago. The Centre’s approval and the completion of the upgrade will take two years, said civic officials. This means the actual work of curbing the river pollution will begin only after two years.
Increasing the capacity by 99 MLD
The capacity to treat sewage will increase by 99 MLD after the upgradation of the six STPs. Currently, 477 MLD is treated. It will be increased to 576 MLD.
A new STP of a capacity of 200 MLD will be built in place of the existing 130-MLD STP at Bhairoba Nala. The remaining STPs in Vitthalwadi, Erandwane, Bopodi and Tanajiwadi can be upgraded without demolishing them.
“Six out of nine STPs will be upgraded as per the new criteria issued by the Central Government. Mahapreit has been appointed as a consultant for the purpose. The DPRs have been sent to the Maharashtra Jeevan Pradhikaran for approval. Following the approval of the Standing Committee and the General Body, they will be sent to the Central Government next week for its final approval. Rs 425 crore will be provided under the Amrit Scheme for the works. The actual work will be started after one year.”
– Shrinivas Kandul, Chief Engineer, Electrical Department, PMC
Sewage Treatment Plant Capacity (MLD)
Name / current / Future
Bhairoba Nala / 130 / 200
Erandwane / 50 / 50
Tanajiwadi / 17 / 26
Bopodi / 18 / 28
Vitthalwadi / 32 / 32
Naidu Hospital (New) / 115 / 125
Baner / 30 / 30
Mundhwa 45 / 45
Kharadi / 40 / 40
Total / 477 / 576
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