States »NortPosted at: Mar 18 2021 3:58PM Punjab : NGT monitoring committee reviews progress & performance of STPs
Moga, Mar 18 (UNI) A special meeting of the monitoring committee of the National Green Tribunal (NGT) on Thursday reviewed the progress and performance of Sewerage Treatment Plants to assess the situation in five Punjab districts due to discharge of untreated water and sewage into drains and other water bodies.
The meeting was presided over by Committee Chairman Justice Jasbir Singh (Retired). Prominent among those present in the meeting included retired Punjab chief secretary and committee member S C Agarwal, Environmentalist Sant Baba Balbir Singh Seechewal, Dr Babu Ram, Deputy Commissioners and officials of these five districts.
During the meeting, Justice Jasbir Singh informed that in the case of Vikram Ahuja versus State of Punjab, the NGT has directed the Monitoring Committee to take steps to address the problem in the Malwa region, especially in the Fazilka district. The committee will send a report on the conduct of the meeting to the NGT. He directed the Deputy Commissioners to ensure a review of the overall performance of the Sewage Treatment Plants (STPs) being set up in these districts in monthly meetings.
He said water quality in drains was very poor. Efforts in this direction have significantly improved the situation, but much remains to be done. If the health of people and animals is to be taken into consideration, then this issue is very serious in which any kind of laxity will not be tolerated.
He said the conditions created due to the discharge of untreated water and sewage in about 22 drains and other water bodies passing through these districts were not conducive to humanity. To rectify these conditions, it is necessary to install STPs at the required places and to operate them properly.
Justice Jasbir Singh directed the officers to ensure proper operation and maintenance of the STPs which have been commissioned. Those that have not yet been activated should be activated as soon as possible. Tenders of contractors who do not work should be cancelled due to departmental action and work should be given to new companies.
He asked the committees of the local government department to make timely payment for the STPs. He said Punjab Government was considering that in future these STPs should be paid directly by the government.
He said the decision of the government regarding old arrears and new monthly instalments was going to be taken soon. Improve the disposal system of old STPs. Keep a record of the mud coming out of them. He directed the canal department that the groundwater in these areas was not potable due to bacteria. Therefore, on the lines of other districts, a plan should be made to provide canal drinking water to these districts in the same manner. Moghas should be constructed for agricultural needs.
He suggested that some drains were running clean and efforts could be made to develop their banks as tourist destinations. He said solid and liquid waste from drains and ponds could be a boon for agriculture. It should be used wisely.
He asked the Punjab Pollution Control Board and the Water Supply and Sanitation Department to check the water of 10 hand pumps in these areas every 15 days. If the water is not potable, turn off the pumps. The health department was directed to make the people aware of health problems. He said soon this would be reviewed again.
During the meeting, Sant Balbir Singh Seechewal said clean drinking water and climate are issues related to humanity. Therefore, the authorities should also fulfil their moral duty. Efforts should be continued to keep the environment clean and treated water should be used for crops.
UNI XC DB SY 1557