STP to be built in the cities along the banks of river Ganga in Bihar

• 22 May 2023

Why in News?

According to the information received from the media on 21 May 2023, Sewerage Treatment Plant (STP) will be built in the cities along the banks of the river Ganga in Bihar. Manure will be prepared from the waste generated from the plant.

Key Points:

• According to information, along with the construction of the Sewerage Treatment Plant (STP) in 23 cities along the banks of river Ganga and 16 cities of its tributaries in Bihar, work is also underway on FSTP (Fecal Sludge Treatment Plant) in 76 small towns.
• After collecting the filth coming out of private septic tanks through these FSTPs, it will be treated and prepared as manure. At present, the land is being searched for the construction of FSTP in the identified bodies.
• The total capacity of FSTP plants to be set up in 76 cities will be 1287 KLD. That is, the plants to be established will be able to dispose of 1287 kilo-litres of septic and contaminated waste every day.
• At present, people in small towns use only septic tanks for defecation. The faecal sludge that is emptied through the tankers, is thrown into empty spaces, pits or drains, causing many serious diseases and contaminating the water sources. To control this and to facilitate the people, a plan has been prepared to set up an FSTP plant.
• According to officials, the plant not only treats sludge from domestic septic tanks but also all other types of contaminated waste in the city, separating them into solid and liquid. The solid waste left over from the plant after treatment can be used as manure while the liquid can be used for irrigation. The plant works in several steps on a completely scientific basis.
• Apart from Ganga and its tributaries, Sewerage Treatment Plants (STPs) are also being prepared in eight other important cities. Among these, 4 cities with dirty rivers are Ramnagar, Narkatiaganj, Raxaul and Jogbani while 4 important cities are Gaya, Ara, Bettiah and Katihar.
• A total of 251.75 MLD capacity STP is being installed here. Of these, the tendering process is underway for 9 MLD capacity STP in Ramnagar and 7 MLD capacity in Narkatiaganj, while the DPR of sewerage treatment plants of 12 MLD capacity in Raxaul, 42.5 MLD in Jogbani, 84 MLD in Gaya, 47 MLD in Arrah, 33 MLD in Bettiah and 55.5 MLD in Katihar has been prepared and sent to NMCG (National Mission for Clean Ganga). As soon as it is approved, the work will be started after completing the tender process.
• It may be noted that out of about six dozen STP projects approved for keeping the rivers clean, only seven projects have been completed and started so far. The facility to treat even 10% of the total dirty water coming out of the cities has not been developed so far.