Ghaziabad STP closure may raise pollution levels in Yamuna

The company, which runs the plant, has informed the state government and the GNN about the closure over the non-payment of its running cost since the commencement of its operation. With the shutting down of this plant, a total of 74 million litres per day (MLD) untreated water, discharged from residential and industrial areas, will flow into the river.

The plant constructed under the Yamuna Action Plan receives 74 MLD untreated water and effluents from a drain, carrying water from the Sahibabad Industrial Area, Delta colony, Rajender Nagar and parts in Vaishali Sector-1. After the water is treated, it is discharged into the Hindon through a drain near the CISF Headquarters, which joins the Yamuna near Okhla. Once the plant stops functioning, untreated water will reach Ghazipur drain directly, which falls into the Yamuna near Vasundhara enclave at Noida border.

Rajendra Tyagi, a Ghaziabad-based activist who had filed a PIL in the Allahabad High Court regarding the setting up of STPs in the city, said earlier effluents of the area were discharged into the Yamuna directly. The Yamuna Action Plan directed local authorities to treat water and release it into the Hindon river, instead of the Yamuna.

Following the order, the UP Jal Nigan constructed the STP at Shakti Khand-II, Indirapuram, at a cost of Rs 250 crore. Later, the authorities set up two more plants, which are being run by other agencies. “The decision to close the STP is unfortunate. With the closing of the plant, toxic effluents will be discharged in the river which will increase the pollution level largely,” said Tyagi.

Manoj Mishra of the Yamuna Jiye Abhiyan termed it as a clear violation of the Water Act as well as the Right to Life Act of the Constitution. He said people must raise their voice against the state bodies. “The step will pollute the Yamuna and will impact the health of people. They should lodge a police complaint against the authorities concerned. It is their responsibility to run the plant and if they are failing to do so, penal action should be initiated against them,” he said.

As per the reports, UEM Clean Solutions, a private firm that runs the plant, has written a letter to the GNN for the payment of Rs 28 crore due since 2012. “The local authorities had handed over the plant, agreeing to pay running cost but no amount has been released as of now. The company spends Rs 9 crore on electricity bill, Rs 2.5 crore on chemical use and Rs 88 lakh as labour charge, along with other expenses, but the authorities are not willing to release the dues,” said a company official.