
Chandigarh achieves 100% wastewater treatment capacity
With the treatment capacity exceeding its wastewater generation, Chandigarh has achieved a significant milestone in environmental management.
The city currently generates approximately 232 million litres per day (MLD) of wastewater, against a treatment capacity of about 255 MLD — marking over 100 per cent treatment capability.
This development was highlighted during a review meeting chaired by Rajeev Verma, chief secretary, UT Chandigarh, to assess compliance with the directions of the National Green Tribunal (NGT) in a matter of 2018 regarding the compliance of Municipal Solid Waste Rules, 2016 and other environmental issues.
The meeting was attended by senior officials including Mandip Singh Brar, secretary (environment and local government), Chandigarh Administration; Diprava Lakra, Finance Secretary, Chandigarh Administration; Saurabh Kumar, director (environment), Chandigarh Administration; Amit Kumar, commissioner, Municipal Corporation Chandigarh; C B Ojha, Chief Engineer, Engineering Department, Chandigarh Administration; and Sanjay Arora, chief engineer, MC.
Kumar, who also serves as member secretary of CPCC, briefed the gathering on the city's waste management performance.
All Sewage Treatment Plants (STPs) are under close monitoring, and expert consultations are underway to ensure full compliance with prescribed norms.
Weekly reviews are being held to ensure that no untreated sewage is discharged into natural drains.
The laying of a tertiary treated water distribution network is progressing steadily, with connections being extended to parks, roundabouts, road berms, kanal houses, institutions, and industrial units, the official said.
Regarding solid waste, the city generates about 500 tonnes per day (TPD), which is collected door-to-door by the MC using specially designed compartmentalised vehicles.
This waste is entirely processed, and the bioremediation of legacy waste is currently in progress, targeted for completion by July 2025.
Leachate from the landfill is being managed via two operational leachate treatment plants (LTPs).
The Chief Secretary directed that all remaining works be expedited and completed within the set de
Strict instructions were issued to ensure that no untreated wastewater enters the choes or drains, and no solid waste is dumped across the city.
Departments were asked to implement detailed plans to prevent illegal dumping, especially at vulnerable sites, and begin phased installation of CCTV cameras for enforcement under MC's Bye-Laws 2018.
He also instructed the civic body to intensify efforts in waste segregation through surprise inspections and impose fines on violators, along with maintaining strict vigilance against solid waste burning.
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Indian Express
11 hours ago
- Indian Express
Chandigarh achieves 100% wastewater treatment capacity
With the treatment capacity exceeding its wastewater generation, Chandigarh has achieved a significant milestone in environmental management. The city currently generates approximately 232 million litres per day (MLD) of wastewater, against a treatment capacity of about 255 MLD — marking over 100 per cent treatment capability. This development was highlighted during a review meeting chaired by Rajeev Verma, chief secretary, UT Chandigarh, to assess compliance with the directions of the National Green Tribunal (NGT) in a matter of 2018 regarding the compliance of Municipal Solid Waste Rules, 2016 and other environmental issues. The meeting was attended by senior officials including Mandip Singh Brar, secretary (environment and local government), Chandigarh Administration; Diprava Lakra, Finance Secretary, Chandigarh Administration; Saurabh Kumar, director (environment), Chandigarh Administration; Amit Kumar, commissioner, Municipal Corporation Chandigarh; C B Ojha, Chief Engineer, Engineering Department, Chandigarh Administration; and Sanjay Arora, chief engineer, MC. Kumar, who also serves as member secretary of CPCC, briefed the gathering on the city's waste management performance. All Sewage Treatment Plants (STPs) are under close monitoring, and expert consultations are underway to ensure full compliance with prescribed norms. Weekly reviews are being held to ensure that no untreated sewage is discharged into natural drains. The laying of a tertiary treated water distribution network is progressing steadily, with connections being extended to parks, roundabouts, road berms, kanal houses, institutions, and industrial units, the official said. Regarding solid waste, the city generates about 500 tonnes per day (TPD), which is collected door-to-door by the MC using specially designed compartmentalised vehicles. This waste is entirely processed, and the bioremediation of legacy waste is currently in progress, targeted for completion by July 2025. Leachate from the landfill is being managed via two operational leachate treatment plants (LTPs). The Chief Secretary directed that all remaining works be expedited and completed within the set de Strict instructions were issued to ensure that no untreated wastewater enters the choes or drains, and no solid waste is dumped across the city. Departments were asked to implement detailed plans to prevent illegal dumping, especially at vulnerable sites, and begin phased installation of CCTV cameras for enforcement under MC's Bye-Laws 2018. He also instructed the civic body to intensify efforts in waste segregation through surprise inspections and impose fines on violators, along with maintaining strict vigilance against solid waste burning.


Time of India
2 days ago
- Time of India
Panchkula residents protest double garbage collection charges
1 2 Panchkula: Residents of various housing societies are expressing frustration over being compelled to pay double for garbage collection services. Despite hiring private door-to-door waste collectors, they are still being billed by the municipal corporation (MC) for the same service. Previously, following a dispute, the MC had waived these charges for two years. However, this year, residents were surprised to receive garbage collection bills again, even though they continue to pay their private collectors. Col Avinash Sharma, a resident of Sun City Parikarma in Sector 20, which houses 1,113 flats, voiced his concern, stating that the MC's system is designed for streets and independent houses, not for societies. He said residents are forced to pay both private collectors and the MC, as the latter's no-objection certificate (NOC) is essential for various administrative tasks in tehsils. Krishan Jindal, president of the RWA of another society in Sector 20, echoed similar sentiments. He pointed out that despite receiving no waste collection service from the civic body, residents are still being charged. He called the charges unjust and demanded that the MC either exempt societies from these fees or deploy its own waste collectors to serve them. Adding to the residents' grievances is the issue of some MC-hired waste collectors allegedly collecting monthly fee from residents, even though they are salaried employees of the corporation. While the MC claimed in a recent house meeting that such payments are made voluntarily, many residents disagree. One resident from the sector said their collector charges Rs 100 monthly, despite the fact that they already pay annual garbage collection fees to the MC. This has led to calls for a uniform and transparent policy to be implemented across the city. Another unresolved issue is the lack of refunds for residents who paid garbage collection charges during the waiver period. The MC has stated that it has written to the department of urban local bodies regarding the matter but has yet to receive a response. Mayor Kulbhushan Goyal clarified the MC's position, stating that there is no provision for waste collection from inside housing societies. According to him, the waste collection vehicles are designated to operate on roads and streets. He also explained that the charges collected by the MC are not solely for collection but also cover transportation and garbage processing.


Time of India
2 days ago
- Time of India
UT races against time to clear Dadumajra dump before NGT hearing
Chandigarh: With the clock ticking and monsoon clouds looming, the Chandigarh municipal corporation has pledged to clear the third garbage dump at the Dadumajra dumping site by the end of July — a task that has already missed multiple deadlines and now carries the weight of a looming National Green Tribunal (NGT) hearing in September. At the heart of the issue lies a mountain of waste — 1.25 lakh metric tonnes, to be precise — sprawled across the Dadumajra site. The cleanup, estimated to cost Rs 10 crore, has been repeatedly delayed, with the rains proving to be the biggest spoiler. "Once it rains, the waste becomes waterlogged and heavy, making it nearly impossible to move. It takes days just to resume operations," said an MC official on the condition of anonymity. The urgency was palpable during a high-level review meeting chaired by the UT chief secretary. Senior officials from the MC and Chandigarh Pollution Control Committee (CPCC) gathered to assess progress on NGT-related issues, with Dadumajra dump dominating the discussion. "This isn't just about garbage—it's about accountability," said a senior official. "The NGT is watching, and we have no choice but to deliver." But the dump isn't the only concern. The meeting also reviewed the status of other critical environmental projects, including new sewage treatment plant (STP) in Faida village, laying of tertiary treated (TT) water pipelines, functioning of newly upgraded STPs, restoration of the city's choes (seasonal rivulets). The chief secretary has issued a clear directive: all pending and planned works must be completed before the NGT hearing in September.