On behalf of the PM, Ampareen inaugurates Faecal Sludge
& Septage Treatment Plant
By Our Reporter
SHILLONG, Oct 2: Health Minister Ampareen Lyngdoh, on behalf of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, inaugurated the Faecal Sludge and Septage Treatment Plant in Shillong. The PM virtually presided over the inaugural programme held on Wednesday, in which Lyngdoh took part in the symbolic cutting of ribbon on behalf of the Prime Minister.
The programme was a parallel function in the state for the Swachh Bharat Diwas (Clean India Day) during which Prime Minister Modi dedicated a number of projects to the nation, amongst which the Faecal Sludge and Septage Management Plant at Shillong is one.
The plant was set up under the Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation (AMRUT).
Speaking at the programme, Health Minister Lyngdoh said, “Shillong city generates about 32.37 million litres of sewage per day which include both black water that is going into the septic tanks and grey water that is discharged from the kitchen and bathrooms into the open storm water drains. Most of the city waste water is collected and partially treated in septic tanks. When the septic tank is full, the septage and the sludge is collected by SMB’s cesspool and treated at the septage plant at Marten which has a capacity to treat 115 kiloliters of septage per day.” In this regard, she said that the government has taken a series of actions to rejuvenate these rivers in the spirit of the Swachh Bharat Mission which was launched on the October 2, 2014, by the Prime Minister. The birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi is being celebrated all over the country as “Swachh Bharat Divas” or “Clean India Day” as a tribute to the Father of the Nation who inspired the virtue of cleanliness and sanitation in all Indians.
“The Faecal Sludge and Septage Treatment Plant in Shillong was taken up under the Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation (AMRUT) at a cost of Rs 52.08 crores (inclusive of four onsite STP for the outfalls of Wahumkhrah and Umshyrpi). The plant is designed to treat faecal sludge and septage, which includes untreated and partially treated sewage, solid, liquid, and sludge from on-site sanitation systems. This plant will cover 1 lakh households’ waste in the city,” Lyngdoh said.
She also informed that the government is also in the process of setting up decentralised Sewage Treatment Plants at locations which are inaccessible by Cesspool.
Around 24 cesspool tankers have also been procured under this project for timely collection of septage to ensure that the septic tanks shall not overflow.
The minister also appreciated the efforts of communities and traditional institutions in taking the lead in waste management and stressed that it is only collective efforts that yield proper results. She highlighted the need for cesspool vehicles of different sizes and proper connections to be able to access all households.
On the other hand, Director of Urban Affairs department, Isawanda Laloo, highlighted a major milestone being celebrated by the government in the journey towards a cleaner, healthier, and more sustainable city. “Together, we can achieve a Swachh Bharat, a clean India, where every citizen has access to sanitation and hygiene. We are proud to have made significant strides in waste management, with 171 metric tons of solid waste handled daily,” she said.
The sewage treatment plant will serve the Shillong Urban Agglomeration areas and has a designed capacity to treat 350 kilolitres of septage/waste water per day. The treated water can be discharged into the environment or it may be recycled within the plant.
During this occasion, 18 Safai Mitras or workers of the Shillong Municipal Board were felicitated by the National Insurance Company Ltd (a Government-of-India undertaking) through a Janata Personal Accident Policy worth about Rs 2 lakh each.
Others who were present at the event include Chief Executive Officer of SMB, and Secretary of Meghalaya Urban Development Authority, PK Boro, Joint Director, Urban Affairs department, Biangmon Lato, besides officials of the Urban Affairs department and Shillong Municipal Board and the Rangbah Shnong of Laitumkhrah.