Dravyavati stink to go in next 10-12 days: JDA

Jaipur: A week after the tussle between Jaipur Development Authority (JDA) and the consortium for the Dravyavati River Project ended and the latter resumed maintenance work, residents living on both sides of the river again complained of foul smell.
JDA officials had assured that these problems will get sorted out within the next 10-12 days as there are a few teething problems with the five Sewerage Treatment Plants (STPs) remaining shut for more than one month.
“Last Friday, when officials used machines in the river to clean the filth, we were hopeful that we would get respite from the problem. Officials had removed solid wastes and are cleaning the debris regularly. But, even after a week, there’s no respite from the smell. In fact, it is worsening day by day,” alleged Vikram Saini, a resident of Gayatri Nagar II in Mansaraovar.
Officials claimed the problem still persists as the five STPs are yet to start full-fledged operations. Dirty water is still flowing into Dhund river naturally as STPs are not treating the dirty water from the drains before it is entering the canal.
“Since the STPs were closed for over a month, engineers had to make these STPs bacteria-free before full fledged operations could be initiated. It takes around 15-days to complete the process. For the first few days, water was being poured into the chambers of the STPs before this started. It would take another 10-12 days to complete it. Once completed, normalcy would be restored in no time,” an official added.
It was on December 2 that the JDA and consortium led by Tata Projects had signed an agreement whereby the former agreed to pay all dues related to maintenance costs till now and the latter was appointed as the official maintenance agency for this project for the next 10 years.