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Indian Express
2 days ago
- Politics
- Indian Express
NGT orders sewage treatment plants to be set up in 6 months for Ramnadi
The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has directed the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC), the Bhugaon Gram Panchayat, and the Bhukum Gram Panchayat to set up drainage systems and Sewage Treatment Plants (STPs) to prevent waste water from being mixed into Ramnadi within the next six months. The order passed on July 24, in a case by activist Krunnal Gharre, also states that FIRs should be filed against villagers or PMC residents dumping solid waste on the banks of the river. The order by Justice Dinesh Kumar Singh and expert member Dr Vijay Kulkarni, based on a joint committee report, states that villages under the two Gram Panchayats and 23 villages included under the PMC are releasing untreated wastewater into the Ramnadi causing harm to the river. The order says, '…villages located on the bank of Ramnadi have not provided proper drainage network, also not provided treatment for the domestic effluent generated from the residential area…PMC has not provided drainage network for newly included 23 villages and also has not provided STPs.' The order report also mentions that domestic waste is being mixed into two PMC storm water lines connected to Ramnadi, causing further pollution of the river. The corporation has been directed to stop the flow of the domestic waste within the next six months as well. Bodies like PMC, Pune Metropolitan Region Development Authority (PMRDA), and the Gram Panchayats have been tasked with ensuring compliance of no solid waste dumping on the riverbank. Gharre told The Indian Express, 'Another important point is that PMRDA has always maintained it is a planning body and not an execution body. The order implied that it has accepted our position that PMRDA is not just a planning body and it is responsible for execution as well. This changes a lot for citizens. And for sustainable development, we had asked that wherever there is no basic infrastructure local bodies should not grant building permissions. The tribunal said that they agree with this but as it is a policy matter let the state and local bodies make this policy.' Consequential pollution of the Pashan Lake happening due to untreated waste water being released into the Ramnadi can also be stopped if the pollution of the river water is brought under control, the order opines. Soham is a Correspondent with the Indian Express in Pune. A journalism graduate, he was a fact-checker before joining the Express. Soham currently covers education and is also interested in civic issues, health, human rights, and politics. ... Read More
India Today
3 days ago
- General
- India Today
UP launches river revival scheme to rejuvenate 50 rivers, restore ecology
The Uttar Pradesh government has launched a comprehensive river revival scheme aimed at rejuvenating the state's disappearing, polluted, and seasonal rivers. The initiative is being implemented in coordination with the Namami Gange Mission, Jal Jeevan Mission, and the Forest campaign seeks to restore rivers to their natural state by reviving water flow, protecting catchment areas, ensuring pollution-free streams, enhancing groundwater levels, and safeguarding local ecology and initiative forms part of a larger plan prepared in 2019 to conserve small rivers and tributaries across the state, with active coordination between the departments of environment, water, agriculture, forest, and panchayati raj. Under this new campaign, authorities have identified rivers in all 75 districts that were either dry or at risk due to pollution or encroachment. The government has undertaken efforts to revive these water bodies using sustainable and scientific improve water quality, the administration is treating sewage and industrial waste before releasing it into rivers. Urban sewage is being redirected to Sewage Treatment Plants (STPs), and biological techniques are being used to enhance water measures like the construction of check dams, desilting, riverbank strengthening, and rainwater harvesting have been adopted to sustain river efforts have begun to yield results. So far, 50 rivers have been rejuvenated across a total stretch of 3,363 kilometres. This revival has provided new life to rural areas and improved irrigation access for farmers. As part of the initiative, the government is also reviving small rivers and water bodies in 1,011 Ganga gram boost water storage in rural regions, the state has constructed and reinforced 3,388 ponds. These ponds now serve as reliable water sources for agriculture, livestock, and domestic Forest Department, in collaboration with district Ganga committees, is planting trees on a massive scale along riverbanks. More than 2.14 crore trees have been planted along the banks of 82 rivers in the state, contributing to ecological restoration and flood technology is also playing a crucial role in the revival drive. Institutions such as IIT Kanpur, IIT BHU, BBAAU Lucknow, and IIT Roorkee are providing technical expertise and guidance to ensure the success of the monitor progress, the government has formed committees in each administrative division, headed by the respective divisional commissioner. These committees regularly review revival plans to ensure timely and quality the rivers currently being revived are the Noon River in Kanpur, the Kukrail River in Lucknow, the Tilodki River in Ayodhya, the Pili River in Jaunpur, and the Belan River in Sonbhadra.- EndsMust Watch IN THIS STORY#Uttar Pradesh
Time of India
5 days ago
- General
- Time of India
NFR to turn Guwahati rly stn into fully plastic-recyclable hub
Guwahati: The Northeast Frontier Railway (NFR) is set to transform Guwahati railway station into a fully plastic-recyclable hub by Independence Day. This initiative aims to combat plastic pollution across its network. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now NFR is collaborating with IIT-Guwahati and the Assam Pollution Control Board to devise an action plan. M/s Kusum Udyog, a PCBA-approved recycling agency, was tasked with submitting a comprehensive proposal for the project, NFR chief public relations officer Kapinjal Kishore Sharma said. He added that the railway department is working in tandem with the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT)-Guwahati and the Assam Pollution Control Board (PCBA), where they are devising an action plan for this initiative. "The agenda also included reviewing current waste disposal practices, identifying high-impact areas, and formulating a joint action plan to minimise single-use plastic and enhance sustainable practices. Furthermore, the Scouts and Guides of NFR organised public awareness activities such as placard displays and drama performances to raise awareness among the passengers as well," Sharma said. Under this project, the plastic waste generated at the station will be collected, shredded, washed, and properly segregated before being recycled. The aim is to make the station the first plastic-free railway station in India through this waste management and recycling effort, following which it will be carried out in other railway stations under the NFR's jurisdiction. "On an average, the station generates around 150 to 200 kilograms of waste daily, which is initially dumped at a site near the railway station and later transported to the landfill by the Guwahati Municipal Corporation (GMC). Tired of too many ads? go ad free now However, with proper awareness and waste segregation, the generated waste can be effectively recycled," Sharma said. He added, "This would allow for better utilisation of Effluent Treatment Plants (ETPs) and Sewage Treatment Plants (STPs), which can then process the organic wet waste into compost, ultimately repurposing it as natural fertiliser. Once this becomes a success in this station, we will carry out similar operations in our other railway stations as well, and five stations under NFR have already been selected."
Time of India
17-07-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Nashik city roads ready for facelift ahead of Kumbh Mela
Nashik: With the Simhastha Kumbh Mela scheduled for 2026-2028, the Nashik Municipal Corporation (NMC) is proactively preparing by prioritizing extensive road development and crucial sewage management projects. The NMC has identified 200-km of major roads within the city for re-laying and widening to accommodate the anticipated footfall of devotees. This significant infrastructure upgrade is part of a larger Rs15,000 crore plan submitted to state govt for approval. Recognizing the urgency, chief minister Devendra Fadnavis had instructed the civic body to prioritize projects with a two-year completion timeline. In response, the NMC finalized a private agency for vital sewage management works, including the construction of Sewage Treatment Plants (STPs), Sewage Pumping Stations, and the diversion of sewage from 22 nullahs to nearby STPs. These essential sanitation projects are estimated to cost around Rs1,475 crore. The civic body has also started the tender process for construction of five bridges and strengthening of the Gadge Maharaj bridge. An NMC official said they have also prepared the priority list of the roads, which are to be re-laid during the Kumbh Mela. "The tender process for these road works will be completed shortly," the official said. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Your Finger Shape Says a Lot About Your Personality, Read Now Tips and Tricks Undo Last month, the NMC had sought Rs 4,000 crore from state govt that will be used for the proposed major Kumbh Mela projects. However, the funds are yet to be received. Nashik is one of four cities in India that hosts the Kumbh Mela every 12 years, with the last one held in 2015.
Time Business News
13-07-2025
- Health
- Time Business News
The Battle for Sensible Sewage Management: Dr. Prem Agarwal's Stand
In the bustling heart of New Delhi, where the chaos of urban life meets the sanctity of healthcare, a storm was brewing. Dr. Prem Agarwal, chairman of Sanjeevan Hospital and president of both the National Medical Forum and the Delhi Hospital Forum, stood at the forefront of a critical issue threatening the city's hospitals. The Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) and local authorities were imposing what Dr. Agarwal called an 'unorganized and unnecessary' mandate: forcing hospitals to install and manage their own Sewage Treatment Plants (STPs). This directive, he argued, was not just redundant but posed risks to hospital management, doctors, and healthcare workers, while straining already stretched resources. Dr. Prem Agarwal, Addressing Press Conference The CPCB, established under the Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974, is India's apex body for regulating pollution. It sets guidelines to ensure environmental compliance, including the treatment of sewage and biomedical waste from industries and institutions like hospitals. According to the CPCB's 2016 guidelines, centralized STP systems—large-scale facilities designed to treat sewage from multiple sources—are sufficient for managing hospital wastewater. These systems treat and recycle water, ensuring it meets environmental standards before being released or reused. Delhi, with its network of centralized STPs managed by the Delhi Jal Board, had been effectively handling hospital sewage under this framework. Yet, in a perplexing turn of events, hospitals across the capital were now being coerced into installing individual STPs on their premises. Dr. Agarwal saw this as a bureaucratic overreach. 'The existing centralized STP systems are robust and efficient,' he declared at a recent press conference. 'Forcing hospitals to set up their own STPs is not only duplicative but also places an undue financial and technical burden on healthcare institutions.' He explained that the installation, maintenance, and operation of STPs require specialized expertise, costly equipment, and continuous monitoring—resources that small and medium-sized hospitals, in particular, could ill afford. The implications were dire. Hospitals, already grappling with the demands of patient care, faced the risk of diverting funds from critical services like emergency care, diagnostic equipment, or staff training to comply with this mandate. Dr. Agarwal highlighted a chilling concern: the improper handling of STPs could compromise the safety of doctors, nurses, and other healthcare workers. Mishandled sewage systems could lead to contamination, biohazards, or even infections, undermining the very purpose of hospitals as sanctuaries of healing. Dr. Agarwal's frustration was palpable as he recounted the case of a small hospital in East Delhi. With only 50 beds and a lean budget, the hospital was struggling to comply with the new STP directive. 'They're being forced to choose between upgrading their ICU or installing an STP they don't need,' he said, shaking his head. 'This is not just about money—it's about the quality of care we can provide to our patients.' The doctor's crusade wasn't just about resisting an impractical policy; it was about protecting the healthcare ecosystem. He argued that the centralized STP system, if strengthened, could handle the city's needs more efficiently. These facilities, often equipped with advanced technologies like Moving Bed Biofilm Reactor (MBBR) or Sequential Batch Reactor (SBR), are designed to treat large volumes of sewage with consistent monitoring by trained professionals. In contrast, individual hospital STPs, especially in smaller setups, risked being under-maintained due to lack of expertise or funding, potentially leading to environmental violations—the very issue the CPCB aimed to prevent. Dr. Agarwal's demands were clear and resolute. He called upon the Lieutenant Governor of Delhi to intervene urgently and address the crisis. His three-point agenda was a clarion call for reason: Exempt hospitals connected to centralized STPs from the obligation to install individual systems, recognizing the efficiency of the existing infrastructure. Strengthen Delhi's centralized STP network, investing in upgrades to ensure it could handle the city's growing healthcare demands without compromising environmental standards. Relieve hospitals of unnecessary financial and technical burdens, allowing them to focus on their primary mission: saving lives. As Dr. Agarwal stood before a room of reporters, his voice carried the weight of conviction. 'Hospitals are not factories. Our job is to heal, not to wrestle with redundant regulations,' he said. His words resonated with hospital administrators across Delhi, many of whom had privately voiced similar concerns but lacked the platform to challenge the status quo. The issue sparked a broader debate. Environmentalists argued that hospitals, as significant generators of biomedical waste, must be held to strict standards. However, they also acknowledged that centralized systems, when well-maintained, were often more reliable than fragmented, hospital-specific solutions. The CPCB, for its part, remained silent on the controversy, leaving hospitals in limbo as they awaited clarity. In the quiet corridors of Sanjeevan Hospital, Dr. Agarwal continued his work, tending to patients while preparing for the next phase of his advocacy. He knew the fight was far from over, but he was determined to ensure that reason prevailed. For him, this was more than a policy dispute—it was a matter of principle, a stand for the sanctity of healthcare in a city that desperately needed it. As the sun set over Delhi, casting long shadows across the capital's hospitals, Dr. Agarwal's demands echoed in the minds of those who heard him. Would the authorities listen? Would the burden on hospitals be lifted? Only time would tell, but one thing was certain: Dr. Prem Agarwal would not back down. TIME BUSINESS NEWS
