Experts find fault with sewage treatment in Garhmukteshwar

Functional sewage treatment plants in Garhmukteshwar area of Uttar Pradesh do not operate as the domestic sewage network is not connected to the main sewerage system, an experts' panel has told the NGT.
The Garhmukteshwar stretch of the Ganga should also receive special attention as it was the habitat of the critically-endangered Gangetic Dolphin, an indicator species for the river's ecosystem, the three-member committee told the National Green Tribunal (NGT) which set it up.
"We feel that the state government needs to put in place an effective system to ensure the integration of the household sewage with the main sewerage system. Unless this is done, we will be in a situation where a sewerage system is in place, the STP has been made operational and yet not a drop of sewage is treated simply because there is lack of connectivity between the different components.

"This needs immediate and time bound action so as to ensure the effectiveness of the cleaning of the river Ganga," the panel said.
The committee, comprising a Director from Ministry of Water Resources, a scientist from the Central Pollution Control Board and advocate and local commisioner Ritwick Dutta, was set upto inspect the status of sewage treatment plants (STPs) in Garhmukteshwar.
"The tribunal may direct the concerned agencies to present the action plan and progress of implementation of programme for the protection of Gangetic Dolphin. In particular, it should focus on the threats to the population on account of pollution and other related factors and measures to deal with the same," it said.

On the 58-km long sewerage line project in Garh, the panel said the "entire project is far from completion" and there was no "road map" with regard to its time-frame.
"In case the sewerage lines are to be made fully operational, it will entail considerable expenditure and effort. It also appeared that there was no road map which lays down the time frame within which the sewerage line will be operational," the committee said.