STP plans welcome, but based on incorrect data: Green advocate to NGT
Speaking at a case hearing regarding the Pavana River's pollution, citizen activist Krunnal Gharre on Tuesday said he welcomed the move by the PMRDA to spend Rs 218 crore to build sewage treatment plants (STPs) by 2030 along the water body.
He said that while the move was welcome, the STP plan was based on outdated and incorrect data and that objections would be placed before the NGT.
Gharre, who is an advocate, pointed out that the standard measurement was that each person will generate 100 litres of sewage per day. 'The proposed 3.5 MLD STP by 2030 is based on outdated and incorrect data. A 3.5 MLD plan, as per PMRDA standard, is sufficient only for 35,000 people. The 52 villages it covers had a population of 50,000 according to the 2011 census. Our primary concern is that the current proposal, which will be commissioned in 2030, was insufficient for the population in 2011. We have not even considered the population growth to date or what will happen.'
He added that the plan fails to consider upcoming planned projects and actual expansion. 'We clearly stated to the NGT that this plan is inadequate not just for the future, but even for the past. What we are trying to say is that the calculation feels to be based on false data. In our hearing on Tuesday, we put forth our objections,' said Gharre, adding that they 'were going to fight the matter in the court anyway'.
An original application had been filed in July 2024 against the PCMC and PMRDA, among others, as a response to the Pavana becoming the most-polluted river in the state. The river is choked with effluents and waste from cities and villages. In April 2025, the NGT ordered the River Rejuvenation Committee (RRC) to 'submit its own report as to whether the steps being taken at the end of PMRDA… show any sincerity in execution of setting up STPs, which are essential to take care of the pollution of river Pavana'.
The RRC said 'the length of the Pavana river is 60 km, out of which 35 km is in the area of PMRDA and the remaining 25 km is in the jurisdiction of PCMC. In this 35 km area, there are 54 villages. PMRDA has studied this area and found 15 nalas leading to the Pavana river. PMRDA has proposed 15 STPs having a total capacity of 3.52 million litres per day (MLD)'. PMRDA has submitted the DPR to the Environment Department of the state government.
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(With inputs from bureau, agencies) tags : Odisha puri Location : Puri, India, India First Published: June 29, 2025, 14:01 IST News india Odisha CM Apologises After 3 Killed In Rath Yatra Stampede, Announces Rs 25 Lakh Ex-Gratia
