The Uttar Pradesh state government is on the verge of completing a significant sewage interception and treatment project aimed at cleaning the Rapti river before the arrival of the monsoon season. Officials have confirmed that more than 96% of the work on the Mahewa and Katniya drain interception, diversion, and treatment project has already been finished.
Project Details and Cost
The Rs 53-crore project is specifically designed to prevent untreated sewage and waste from flowing directly into the Rapti river through major drains like Mahewa and Katniya. For years, these drains have been carrying wastewater from densely populated localities into the river, causing severe pollution. The project includes the interception and diversion of drain water through pipelines to a 10 million liters per day (MLD) sewage treatment plant (STP), along with the construction of a 27 MLD-capacity master pumping station (MPS). The treated water will only be discharged into the river after undergoing proper purification processes.
Coverage and Impact
The project covers sewage generated from the Mahewa, Rustampur, and Mahuisugharpur wards located in the northern part of the city. Authorities believe that making the system operational before the rainy season will significantly reduce the volume of untreated waste entering the river during the monsoon months. This initiative is part of a broader effort to restore the ecological health of the Rapti river.
Government's Commitment
Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has repeatedly emphasized the importance of restoring the clean and uninterrupted flow of the Rapti river. In addition to this project, bio-remediation work is also being carried out at Takiya Ghat to treat wastewater before it enters the river. These combined efforts demonstrate the government's commitment to environmental conservation and public health.
Timeline and Completion
Pankaj Kumar, Executive Engineer of UP Jal Nigam (Urban), stated that the project commenced on December 29, 2023, and is expected to be fully completed by the end of May. With the monsoon season approaching, the timely completion of this project is crucial for preventing further pollution of the Rapti river.
