Punjab sanctions Rs 43 cr for STPs along Ghaggar river

Punjab Chief Minister Paraksh Singh Badal today sanctioned Rs 43 crore for the timely completion of ongoing construction of Sewerage Treatment Plants (STPs) along river Ghaggar in the state.
The CM asked asked the Finance department to immediately release funds to the Punjab Water Supply and Sewerage Board (PWSSB) for this work.
Reviewing the progress of the steps taken by the PWSSB and Punjab Pollution Control Board (PPCB) for the construction of STPs in the towns along the river Ghaggar, the Chief Minister sanctioned funds to the tune of Rs 43 crore for the completion of STPs and directed the Secretary Local government to ensure these were make operational at the earliest.

Meanwhile, local government secretary Ashok Gupta told the Chief Minister that out of 21 towns along the river, eight STPs in seven towns namely Zirakpur, Mohali, Banur, Patiala (two), Samana, Sardulgarh and Bhikhi have been installed and commissioned, and five STPs in four towns -- Patran, Mandi Gobindgarh, Rajpura (two) and Moonak were under installation and likely to be completed by December 31.
Apart from this, funds for the six STPs in five towns --Sunam, Longowal, Khanauri, Derabassi (two) and Lehragagga, have already been tied up and would be completed by March 31, 2016.
Besides, Gupta also informed that funds amounting to Rs 170 crore were to be tied up for six STPs in five towns --Sirhind, Bassi Pathana, Sangrur (two), Nabha and Sanur.

He told Badal that the land for setting up of three STPs was available and the work could be started soon.

He assured that the tenders in this regard would be floated within a week.
Responding to another issue regarding the installation of two STPs at Derabassi to be undertaken by Greater Mohali Area Development Authority (GMADA), Chief Administrator GMADA informed one STP was under construction and for second STP de-notification of land was required.
The Chief Minister asked his Principal Secretary S K Sandhu to regularly monitor the progress of the STPs along river Ghaggar so that the executing agencies may not face any hardship on account of technical and financial aspect.

He also directed all the agencies to keep a strict vigil on the quality of construction work besides allocating these works to the reputed construction companies on merit without any prejudice or favour, he said.