Delhi budget: Sewage units idle, but Rs 750 crore to set up more

NEW DELHI: More sewage treatment plants (STPs) to deal with pollution in the Yamuna, and 'beautification' of riverbanks seem to be the government's priorities. It has allocated Rs 750 crore for sewage treatment in the budget. However, experts say, most of Delhi's STPs are under-utilized.

New solar photovoltaic (SPV) plants at the Delhi secretariat, government hospitals and schools, and developing New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC) areas as a "solar city" are also on the agenda.

There are concerns that the 'beautification' plans may turn out to be all about concretizing or building on the floodplains. A 40-MGD STP will be built with technical support from the Singapore government so that treated water can be discharged into the Yamuna at Palla. "It's a good idea but the cost is very high. This recycled water should be used for drinking in Delhi but for that the government needs to create awareness about the technology and the potential," said environmentalist and head of Centre for Science and Environment, Sunita Narain.

Delhi had entered into an agreement with the Singapore government in 2012 to set up STPs that will generate 'new water' for Delhi. New water is treated sewage that is used as drinking and bottled water in Singapore. But the plan was never implemented. On setting up more STPs, Narain said: "In Delhi, there is under-utilization of STP infrastructure. We should at least make sure that treated effluent is not put back into the 'nallah'."

Experts say it's a mixed bag for the Yamuna. "Why are they announcing more STPs before being accountable for the existing ones? I am concerned about the beautification. There is no need to spend money on the riverfront," said Himanshu Thakkar of South Asia Network on Rivers, Dams and People.

The plan outlay for the energy sector is about Rs 675 crore. A part of it will be utilized to build solar PV plants of 10 kilowatts peak (kwp) at Delhi secretariat, 25 kwp at four government hospitals and 10 kwp at four government schools.

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/followceleb.cms?alias=Yamuna,sewage treatment plants,pollution,beautification' of riverbanks

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