Sewage Treatment Plant Hits Road Block

The proposed sanitation plan for Sambalpur City has hit a road block with the residents of Bhatra opposing the Sewage Treatment Plant.

SAMBALPUR:The proposed sanitation plan for Sambalpur City has hit a road block with the residents of Bhatra under Ward-36 of Sambalpur Municipal Corporation (SMC) opposing the Sewage Treatment Plant (STP).

They submitted a petition expressing their reservation on the proposal at the Collector’s Grievance Cell here on Monday. They claimed that as STP’s proposed location is about 400 metres from human habitation, it will result in pollution and lead to health hazards and hence should be shifted.

Part of a long-awaited integrated sewerage project for the city, the STP envisages 253 kms of underground sewer line with 9,414 manholes. The sewer line will culminate at the 42 MLD sewage treatment plant proposed to be set up in Bhatra. This apart, pumping stations will be developed at six places to pump water through the sewer lines.

The estimated cost of the project to be executed by Odisha Water Supply and Sewerage Board (OWSSB) is Rs 416.48 crore while Rs 30 crore has already been received from Odisha Urban Infrastructure Development Fund.

Presently, the drain water is being released directly to river Mahanadi resulting in pollution and contamination.

Once the project is commissioned, treated water will be released to the river improving the overall sanitation condition of the city.

Additional District Magistrate, Sambalpur,  Jyoti Kumar Lakra received the petition in absence of Collector Balwant Singh. Lakra said administration will study the technical feasibility before initiating any step. He also allayed fear of health hazard or pollution as the sewer line will be laid underground and the water will be treated before being released to the river.

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