Wastewater treatment proves crucial in metro

Seven years after Bengaluru's Bellandur Lake drew global attention for frothing and catching fire due to unchecked dumping of untreated sewage and industrial effluents, the city has emerged as the second-best performer in sewage management under a central government initiative.

- Soumya Chatterjee

NEW DELHI: In March this year, the city was awarded ₹103 crore under the Jal Hi Amrit initiative for effective sewage treatment.

Of the 30 sewage treatment plants (STPs) evaluated in Bengaluru, 23 received a 5-star rating, six were rated 4-star, and one 3-star. Surat, Gujarat's Diamond City, topped the national rankings and was awarded ₹104.75 crore. Nineteen of its 20 STPs secured 5-star ratings, while one received 4 stars.

The Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA) said over 860 STPs across India were evaluated by more than 250 field assessors in the last fiscal, with ₹400 crore disbursed to states and Union Territories. More than 3,400 officials were trained, and 30 capacity-building sessions were held. A Water Resource Recovery Cell (WRRC) has been created at the state level to monitor STP performance and promote treated water reuse and biosolids management.