Pune: PMC to Install 2 MLD Sewage Treatment Plant to Protect Katraj Lake
Katraj, 31st May 2024: Starting June, a new sewage treatment plant (STP) with a capacity of 2 million liters per day (MLD) will be operational to address the release of untreated sewage into Katraj Lake, particularly affecting the Rajiv Gandhi Zoological Park.
The Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) has also laid a sewer line stretching 1,100 meters in length and 900 millimeters in diameter to further prevent sewage from flowing into the lake. These measures were reported to the Maharashtra Pollution Control Board (MPCB) on May 22, 2024.
On March 22, the National Green Tribunal’s (NGT) principal bench took suo-motu cognizance of the issue and directed the MPCB, PMC, Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), and the district collector to address the matter. The case was later transferred to the NGT’s western bench. According to the order issued by the NGT’s western bench on May 28, the MPCB conducted a field visit on May 16.
“During the visit, no growth of water hyacinth was observed in Katraj Lake. The PMC had constructed gabion walls for two drains from Santoshnagar and Peshwe Lake to Katraj Lake. At the time of the visit, no nalla (drain) was flowing into Katraj Lake. The two storm water lines near the lake were dry. Water samples collected from the lake had a slightly brownish color with no smell and a pH of 6-7,” read the order citing MPCB’s findings.
The 2 MLD STP will primarily serve the lake in the Rajiv Gandhi Zoological Park and Wildlife Research Centre and is expected to be completed before June, pending the final consent application process. The NGT has directed the PMC to complete the remaining work, including the construction of the STP’s boundary wall, deepening and cleaning the lake’s overflowing drain, and constructing two additional sewer lines, all within six months at a cost of Rs 4.1 crore. The PMC is required to submit a progress report immediately after completion.
