ARUN KASHYAP/ Haridwar
The Ardh Kumbh Mela is expected to draw up to 20 crore devotees, sparking urgent questions about whether the administration can handle the unprecedented volume of sewage to be generated. The Mela officer Sonika herself predicted that 15 to 20 crore people may arrive at the Kumbh. Consequently, it is estimated that approximately 25 to 30 MLD of additional sewage may be generated during the event.
Worryingly enough, most of the sewage treatment plants (STPs), currently operating in the Haridwar area, have reached their maximum treatment capacity. This naturally sparks uncertainty over how the additional sewage to be generated during the Kumbh will be treated. As per sources, the Mela administration has firmed up proposals for STPs with a capacity of approximately 1.5 MLD. If their total capacity remains only approximately 1.5 MLD, it is natural to trigger a concern about how this will address the problem of 25 to 30 MLD of additional sewage.
From this uncertainty springs the fear about the maintainability of the expected level of cleanliness of Ganga during mega congregation.
The observers ask whether the administration is thinking of installing temporary treatment plants, additional pumping stations or some other alternative sewage management to dispose of the expected volume of the untreated sewage accumulation. “Just think if this is dumped straight in Ganga, what will happen?” asks an observer.
They wonder why the administration, busy with building roads, bridges, parking, tent cities and other infrastructure, has paid scant attention to this serious sewage scenario.
Allaying this apprehension, the project manager, Construction and Maintenance Unit (Ganga), Meenakshi Mittal said that a 1,500 KLD capacity FSTP will be installed for the Kumbh Mela to address the problem. “The 14 MLD STP at Sarai currently receives 15 to 16 MLD of sewage, and the 68 MLD STP at Jagjitpur receives approximately 70 MLD.
During Somvati Amavasya, the volume of sewage at the Jagjitpur STP increased to 73 MLD. Despite this, all sewage was treated,” she said, adding that as part of Kumbh Mela preparations, the Jal Nigam is installing 1500 KLD capacity FSTPs, modelled after the Prayagraj Kumbh Mela. “These plants will be installed at Bairagi Camp, Gaurishankar Parking, Rodi Belwala, Neeldhara and Dheerwali. The treated water from these plants will be disposed of in accordance with the standards set by the National Green Tribunal (NGT),” she stated.
