BHUBANESWAR: As the Union Urban Development Ministry is set to celebrate the second anniversary of Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation (AMRUT) on June 25, the State Government has emphasised to integrate Swachh Bharat Mission (SBM) and Faecal Sludge and Septage Management (FSSM).
According a review of FSSM in nine towns where the AMRUT is implemented, it was found that the current septage treatment plants may not be able to handle undigested faecal sludge as the plants are designed to receive septage only. Most of the septic tanks are unable to do primary digestion due to poor design of containment unit at households.
An official, who was present during the review, said the technical support unit (TSU) has been asked to consult with design engineers of Odisha Water Supply and Sewerage Board (OWSSB) and come up with fresh design.
''The TSU has also been directed to initiate process for identifying land parcel and feasible technical solutions to dispose sludge with support of Tehsildars for AMRUT cities. After identification, the land plots would be acquired following approvals from respective Collectors and it would be done in a priority basis before issuing contacts to cesspool operators,'' he said.
Meanwhile, the Housing and Urban Development Department has taken steps for tracking of cesspool vehicles with GPS device. The TSU has been asked to explore ways to integrate the activity of solid waste management system of Bhubaneswar with GPS system and also with its master system integrator under Smart City Mission.
While the TSU will refer to the standard protocol for water quality sampling developed by Dr Ligy Philip from IIT-Madras, the data on baseline survey and geographic information system database for Balasore prepared by the Centre for Policy Research will be taken into consideration.
The Department has suggested to use funds from district mineral foundation available to 29 urban local bodies (ULBs) spread across 12 districts in the State. The funds can be utilised for septage management and the TSU will guide in replicating the model adopted in nine AMRUT towns to help implement FSSM in these ULBs.
The AMRUT scheme is being implemented in Rourkela, Puri, Sambalpur, Balasore, Baripada and Bhadrak towns besides three municipality corporations of Bhubaneswar, Cuttack and Berhampur.