Kedarnath's STP project delayed again before yatra opening
Dehradun: Construction of a
sewage treatment plant
(STP) in Kedarnath remained unfinished ahead of the 2025 yatra season, with officials blaming harsh weather conditions for the delay. The project, aimed at handling sewage from residents and pilgrims, will now be completed by May 30, almost a month after the yatra begins. The next NGT hearing on the matter is scheduled for May 2, the same day Kedarnath shrine is set to reopen.
Earlier this year, the Rudraprayag district administration and Uttarakhand Pollution Control Board were pulled up by NGT for failing to act against environmental violations in Kedarnath. An affidavit recently submitted in the green court claimed that 85% of the STP work is complete. It added that the project, which faced delays due to heavy snowfall and subzero temperatures, now targets a revised completion date of May 30, 2025.
After the devastating 2013 flash floods, a large-scale redevelopment project, the
Shri Kedarnath Dham Master Plan
, was launched to rebuild and modernise the town while aiming to protect the fragile Himalayan environment. As part of these efforts, the STP was planned to manage increasing sewage loads during the yatra season.
In Jan, the tribunal directed the administration to file a response affidavit detailing household connectivity to the sewage system and assessing the adequacy of the 600 KLD STP, considering both the resident and floating populations. A timeline for these tasks was also requested.
by Taboola
by Taboola
Sponsored Links
Sponsored Links
Promoted Links
Promoted Links
You May Like
Google Brain Co-Founder Andrew Ng, Recommends: Read These 5 Books And Turn Your Life Around
Blinkist: Andrew Ng's Reading List
Undo
In Feb, officials from PWD were asked to provide project details. An amount exceeding Rs 8 crore was sanctioned. "Approximately 85% of the work is completed. The remaining construction and STP operation will be done by May 30, 2025," read the affidavit filed by district magistrate Saurabh Gaharwar.
The affidavit stated that the household connectivity project is divided into three zones: Mandakini edge, Saraswati edge, and Central Street area. While most work on the Mandakini edge has been completed, geographical challenges have delayed work on the Saraswati edge. "The progress of the Central Street area work is dependent on the ongoing redevelopment activities in the region. Existing old structures are being demolished and replaced with newly constructed buildings. The laying of the sewage line here shall commence upon the completion of the aforesaid construction activities, ensuring proper integration," read the affidavit.
Officials said the STP is being constructed keeping in mind the existing population of around 5,000 and a floating population of around 20,000 pilgrims. As per the Shri Kedarnath Dham Master Plan, 84 new buildings are being proposed to replace the old structures.
"The original schedule for completion was Dec 2024. However, due to heavy snowfall and extremely low temperatures, the timeline had to be revised. The initial project plan accounted for seasonal snowfall and rainfall, but the unexpected early onset of heavy snowfall and severe subzero temperatures in 2024 resulted in unavoidable delays. Subject to favourable weather conditions, the STP construction activities have a revised completion target of May 30, 2025," Gaharwar said.
Officials said that work on the project was scheduled to resume on March 20. However, the sewage line installation could only happen after the foundation work of the new buildings was completed. The completion of the entire sewage system, including full connectivity, is now proposed by Dec 14, 2025.
Data shows that over 17 lakh pilgrims visited Kedarnath in 2024. As reported by TOI earlier, RTI information revealed that more than 26 tonnes of waste were generated during the yatra season, including 17.5 tonnes of organic waste that remained unprocessed and were dumped directly into two landfills nearby. The RTI findings also highlighted that no fines were imposed, and no complaints were filed regarding the improper disposal of waste into the Mandakini river.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Time of India
38 minutes ago
- Time of India
Navi Mumbai civic body identifies 527 bldgs as ‘dangerous'
Following a survey of old and dilapidated buildings, Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation (NMMC) identified 527 buildings as 'dangerous' and urged the residents to vacate. "Continued occupation of such structures poses significant risks, and the corporation will not be liable for any resulting incidents," said NMMC commissioner Kailas Shinde. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now An official said buildings that are more than 30 years old must complete structural inspections before Sept 30, and the reports be submitted to the assistant commissioner, ward officer, or assistant director of town planning department. Non-compliance attracts fine of Rs 25,000 or the annual property tax amount, whichever is higher. — B B Nayak
Time of India
an hour ago
- Time of India
2,158 artistes receive postal accident insurance in single day
Mangaluru: During the Yakshadhruva Patla Decennial Celebration 2025, held under the auspices of the Yakshadhruva Patla Foundation Trust at Adyar Garden on Sunday, 2,158 artistes from Yakshagana, theatre, Daivaradhane, and achievers in kambala were provided with postal accident insurance, ensuring coverage of Rs 10 lakh each for their families. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now The insurance premium was sponsored by the Patla Foundation, and around 150 staff members from the Mangaluru postal division conducted the event with great discipline and coordination, stated a release from the Mangaluru Postal Division. For the past three years, the department of posts actively participated in the public service of Yaksha Sambhrama, and this year it set a new record by providing this facility to 2,158 artistes in a single day. A special feature was that all these artistes received their policy bonds printed on-site. This postal accident insurance is a service offered by the Indian postal department, India Post Payments Bank, and Reliance Insurance Company. For an annual premium of just Rs 550, it provides coverage of Rs 10 lakh, along with benefits like inpatient/outpatient treatment and reimbursement of educational expenses. This year, the Yakshadhruva Patla Foundation Trust sponsored this facility for artistes at a cost of approximately Rs 11.9 lakh. The Patla Foundation organised several schemes for the welfare of artistrs, and the postal accident insurance scheme was widely appreciated. For the third consecutive year, the responsibility of conducting this initiative was entrusted to the fepartment by the yrust's gounder President, Patla Satish Shetty. He was honoured by denior duperintendent M Sudhakar Mallya on behalf of the Mangaluru postal division. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now From the policies issued last year, Rs 2.8 lakh was distributed as compensation for outpatient/inpatient treatment to nine artistes. Claims for compensation of Rs 10 lakh are in process for the families of three artistes who died in accidents, the release added.
Time of India
an hour ago
- Time of India
Tungabhadra dam to get new crest gate at 19th sluice gate
Munirabad (Koppal): Preparations are underway to install a new crest gate at the 19th sluice gate of the , which will replace the stop log that was washed away last year. The Gujarat-based Hardware Tools and Machinery Project Company, which secured the tender, procured materials from Vizag Steels and is currently working on constructing the gate near Gadag. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Furthermore, this company was also awarded the contract for the installation of the remaining 32 crest gates at the TB dam. The crest gate was lost on Aug 10, 2024, resulting in the release of 40tmc of water into the river. Subsequently, a stop log was installed on the 19th spillway under the guidance of gate expert Kannaiah Naidu. The Gujarat Hardware Tools and Machinery Project Company won the tender valued at Rs 1.9 crore for the construction of the 19th gate, and preparations for the gate commenced. Only the 19th gate will be constructed in Gadag, while Tungabhadra Board officials are considering starting work on the remaining 32 gates near the Tungabhadra Reservoir. Currently, the construction of the 19th gate is in progress and is expected to be installed by the end of June, according to sources from the board. In this regard, Tungabhadra Board secretary ORK Reddy, superintendent engineer Narayan Nayak, and officers Nagaraj, Chandrashekhar, Gyaneshwar, and Raghavendra visited the construction site of the gate to inspect the progress. Tungabhadra Board officials directed the company representatives to ensure that the gate is constructed according to the specified design and installed promptly.
