NMCG approves composite Sewerage Projects in Agra to save Taj Mahal

New Delhi [India], Nov 22 (ANI): Namami Gange projects in Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, West Bengal and Himachal Pradesh worth Rs. 1573.28 crores have been approved by the Executive Committee (EC) of the National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG) in a meeting held on November 20.
In the meeting, 10 projects worth Rs 1573.28 crores have been approved by the EC of the NMCG.
In Uttar Pradesh, the projects in Agra, Kasganj, and Sultanpur have been approved at a total cost of Rs. 998.75.
In a meeting held at the level of Union Minister Nitin Gadkari and Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, it was decided that a comprehensive solution needed to be worked out to address River Yamuna's pollution issues in Agra.
Keeping this in mind, the project for Rehabilitation / Renovation of Agra Sewerage Scheme (Interception and Diversion Works) has been conceived at a total cost of Rs. 857.26 crore, including operation and maintenance cost for 15 years.
Completion of the project is expected to drastically reduce pollution load from Agra city into the river Yamuna, helping to save the Taj Mahal and leading to improvement of river water quality, groundwater quality and overall aesthetics of the area.
Interception and Diversion works (I&D) and Sewage Treatment Plant at Kasganj in Uttar Pradesh were also approved by the Executive Committee at a cost of Rs. 76.73 crore. The project envisages construction of two I&D structures, network laying of the length of 2.8 kilometres and 15 MLD capacity STP. The cost of the project includes operation and maintenance for 15 years.
Presently, there is no sewerage system in Kasganj, the wastewater is discharged into open drains that finally meet River Kali and contribute to pollution of the river. Under this project, all drains meeting Kali River will be tapped and the wastewater shall be carried out through pumping flow to the proposed STP for treatment.
Interception & Diversion works (I&D) and Sewage Treatment Plant at Sultanpur in Uttar Pradesh has been approved by the EC at a total project cost of Rs.64.76 plus O&M costs for 15 years and includes construction of 7 MLD new STP, upgradation of existing 5 MLD WSP to 10 MLD aerated lagoon STP, 6 I&D structures for drains, an 8 kilometer Network.
In Bihar, projects have been approved in Chhapra, Fatuha, Bakhtiyarpur, and Khagaria at a total cost of Rs. 328.52 crore.
In West Bengal, I&D works including pumping stations and STPs under Burdwan Municipality has been approved at a total project cost of Rs.234.31 and includes 50 MLD STP, 19 KM Network,1 Main Pumping Station (MPS).
From the standpoint of River Ganga pollution, Burdwan is not located immediately by the bank of the river. Yet, untreated wastewater from this town makes its way to the river through Banka River and ultimately contributes to the pollution load in River Ganga.
There is no centralised sewerage system in the town and are currently facing serious sanitation problems. The entire wastewater from the upper and lower part of the municipal town flows into Banka River through surface drains. 38 main outfalls have been identified. Therefore, all the outfalls to Banka River must be Intercepted and Diverted to proposed lift stations (LS), MPS and the proposed Sewage Treatment Plant (STP).
In Himachal Pradesh, sewerage scheme for Zone-II and III of Paonta Town was approved at a total project cost of Rs.11.57 crore and includes new 1.72 MLD STP, minor repair and filter in existing 0.44 MLD STP (Extended Aeration) and 1.0 MLD (Extended Aeration), 30 KLD Septage Handling unit. (ANI)