Govt OK’s Rs 380 cr to end manual scavenging

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal has approved some key projects, including improving groundwater levels, waste water services, deployment of 200 specially fabricated sewer cleaning machines for cleaning of sewer lines, and providing rebate of 90 per cent on the sewer charges for those who use their own ‘Decentralised Sewer Treatment Plants’ for water recycling.

In 141th board meeting of the Delhi Jal Board (DJB) chaired by Chief Minister who is also the chairman of DJB, he  also cleared proposal to enforce implementation of ‘Decentralise Waste Water Treatment System’ (DWWTS) and ‘Decentralised Sewer Treatment Plants’ (DSTPs) in parks, schools, departments, Government offices, and hospitals across the city.

The board in a release stated that one of the major sources of groundwater depletion is its extraction and use for horticulture purpose. There are large parks and areas of different agencies or which use groundwater for their horticulture need. All major parks and green belt areas whether with Delhi Government, Delhi Development Agency and Municipal Corporation of Delhi etc would not be allowed to use groundwater anymore and instead they would make arrangement for DWWTS near to the feeding point provided by DJB, it said.

Considering several unfortunate death of sanitation workers during cleaning sewage in last few years, the board approved the process for deployment of 200

specially fabricated tailor made sewer cleaning machines for cleaning of sewer lines in narrow streets or lanes in the national Capital.

According to a release issued by the DJB, the work comprises complete comprehensive maintenance of the sewer cleaning machines, including disposal of silt/garbage to the designated place as per direction of the engineer in-charge.

“The aim is to eliminate the practice of the manual cleaning of the sewer line so that the silt/sludge in the manhole is not handled

manually. The total expenditure for deployment of 200 machines shall be Rs 380 crore,” it said.

With an aim to recharge groundwater levels, improve ecology and create a green public space, the board also appointed WAPCOS limited (Public Sector Enterprise under the aegis of the Union Ministry of Water Resource, River Development & Ganga Rejuvenation) as consultant for revival and rejuvenation of 12 water bodies.

In the meeting, the DJB also accorded the approval to projects such as providing and laying sewerage system in Pochanpur group of colonies in Matiala constituency at an estimated cost of Rs 9.5 crore, construction of decentralized STP’s and development of water bodies with 10 years operation and maintenance cost in Chhattarpur Assembly constituency in Delhi.

Delhi has limited sources of raw water and to meet the increasing demand of water for drinking, commercial and industrial use and environmentally sustainable manner, the Board has been developing machineries to implement the recycle and reuse of treated effluent as source of raw water, it stated.“In order to bring about overall improvement in the water management system, the board also accorded approval for creating new raw water sources through high quality treated effluent from 10 MGD waste water treatment plant Narela after due up-gradation as per the standard being followed in under construction coronation pillar STP so that the treated effluent discharged into the river Yamuna, upstream of Wazirabad barrage near Palla is of acceptable raw water standards at the pond.

Thus, waste water treatment plant requires rehabilitation along with construction of new wffluent pumping station and laying of rising main towards Palla for discharging treated effluent into river Yamuna upstream of Wazirabad barrage”  the official statement issued by the Chief Minister’s Office stated.

As Delhi generates 456 MGD water from its STPs every day but only 89 MGD of the treated water used and the rest goes in drain.

Keeping it in view, the board approved appointment of a consultant to study and submit a report on the use of the rest 367 MGD (456-89=367) water.  It also said the total amount of treated water will go up to 516 MGD by the end of 2018. Vice Chairperson of DJB Dinesh Mohaniya, CEO of DJB Anil Kumar Singh, members and other senior officials of DJB were also present in the meeting.