Aurangabad, Jan 23:
In a significant development, the Aurangabad Municipal Corporation (AMC) has decided to undertake the much-needed restoration of Kham River (in phases) with the association of experts and people's participation, in three years span.
Under Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), the restoration project will gain the support of Varroc, Confederation of Indian Industries (CII) and Eco-Sattva (the Knowledge Partner). In the first year, the AMC will focus on trapping and pulling out plastic passing beneath the bridges built on the river.
An action plan has been chalked out under the guidance of the AMC administrator A K Pandey. Notably, in 2018, Pandey as a district collector of Akola had led a public movement to carry out the cleaning and restoration of River Morna. The initiative was successful and applauded by all. It is observed that over the years, Kham River has reduced to a nullah due to lack of maintenance, rampant dumping of waste and release of sewage at several locations into the basin.
EcoSattva had conducted a drone survey and detected leakage of sewage into the Kham River at 249 various locations, and 13 per cent solid waste is lying on the banks of the river. " The AMC will work on plugging the leakages into the underground sewage system. Besides, in-situ treatment of wastewater would be done where the leakages continue to exist. The ecology of the river would also be enhanced by planting trees. The AMC will remove the debris and solid waste from the river using mechanical excavators," said EcoSattva founder Natasha Zarine.
As a pilot project, the spot near Holy Cross School will be taken up for Riverfront development. The focus will be on greening rather than infrastructural development. The above target will be achieved by attracting the participation of the citizens of Aurangabad and other cities.
Meanwhile, the AMC's head of solid waste management (SWM) cell Nandkishor Bhombe said, " The project is in line with the union government's Swachh Bharat Mission and state government's Majhi Vashundhara campaign. The citizens desirous of joining the campaign can contact on cellphone number 9767838762."