AMC to adjoin sewage connections at 249 spots to prevent air, water pollution

Aurangabad, Sept 23:
The Aurangabad Municipal Corporation (AMC) has decided to adjoin sewage pipeline connections at 249 spots under its ambitious Sewage Upgradation and Development Programme (SUDP), in phases, due to shortage of funds. The AMC decided upon undertaking the pending task after the National Green Tribunal (Western Zone-Pune) took cognizance of the issue recently.

The then Congress-led government in the Centre sanctioned Rs 400 crore to Aurangabad to get rid of sewage waste under its UIDSSMT Scheme. Ironically the sewage pipelines were laid, but the pipes were not adjoined. As a result, the city''s sewage waste is making its way into the nullahs and the rivers.

The then municipal commissioner Harshadeep Kamble approved the SUDP tender of valuing Rs 464 crore. Accordingly, the contractor claimed to spend Rs 400 crore to lay down main pipelines transporting sewage waste and constructing three STP plants. The pipeline work was then excluded due to lack of fund, and the contractor also demanded clearance of his dues. Meanwhile,
the civic body decided of stopping the project and did settlement with the contractor.

Meanwhile, the questions scribble the mind of the common man that despite spending crores of rupees the sewage waste is making its way into Kham River, Sukana River and important nullahs in the city. A petition in this regard was filed in the NGT (Pune). After receiving the tribunal''s notice, the Maharashtra Pollution Control Board (MPCB) and the AMC officials formed a joint committee to look into the matter.

The administrator A K Pandey said, " The main pipelines transporting sewage waste were laid in the city, but there are 249 spots where the pipes have not been joined. The works could not complete the work due to non-availability of the fund. Now, we will undertake the work from the AMC fund in phases."

SUDP contract was given to Khillari Infrastructure and Gharpure Pvt Ltd Company. The tender was of Rs 464 crore, but the project got winded up when the expenses touched Rs 400 crore. The AMC has to pay dues of Rs 43 crore to the contractor, said Pandey.

All the sewage treatment plants (STP) in the city are being operated and maintained by the contractor. He is insisting that the AMC should take over the possession of STPs and start its operations, it is learnt.
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