SRINAGAR, OCTOBER 23: Divisional Commissioner (Div Com) Kashmir, Anshul Garg, today conducted an on-site inspection of the 60 Million Litres Daily (MLD) Sewerage Treatment Plant (STP) at Noorbagh, Srinagar, to assess its operational readiness ahead of its commissioning scheduled for October 31.The inspection was carried out after completion of a project of the Comprehensive Sewerage Scheme for Greater Srinagar, initiated under the Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission (JnNURM) at a cost of Rs 143 Cr which was later revised to Rs 157 Cr.During the visit, Div Com highlighted the critical importance of the project in strengthening urban sanitation infrastructure and improving environmental and health standards in the city.Speaking on the occasion, Garg informed that the project was executed by the Urban Environmental Engineering Department (UEED) under the supervision of the Housing and Urban Development Department.“We have commenced the trial run of the 60 MLD STP after NBCC and UEED geared up their resources to complete this long-pending project”, Div Com said and added that once commissioned it will immediately benefit around 15,000 households in Srinagar city.Acknowledging the city’s expanding population since the project’s inception, Garg announced that the administration is already planning the second phase of the project of 70 MLD capacity to cater increasing requirements in proportion to growth of the city.He also directed the Superintending Engineer, UEED, to initiate the process for acquiring a dedicated power supply line to ensure uninterrupted functioning of the plant and also get the DPR finalised for the utility shifting, tertiary treatment, automated quality monitoring and other infrastructural requirements within 1 week for consideration of the Administrative Department.During his interaction with local residents, the Div Com listened to their grievances regarding sewerage and stormwater issues and assured them that their concerns would be resolved at the earliest.Addressing media queries about the power scenario in the valley, Garg said that power supply remains a top priority for the administration. “Regular reviews are being conducted at both the UT and Divisional levels to ensure regular power supply”, he said.“Currently the concerned department is conducting pruning of trees, maintenance works, and augmentation of buffer stock of transformers to ensure overall preparation for winter”, he said. The power scenario this winter is expected to be better than in previous years,” he added.The Div Com was accompanied by the Commissioner, Srinagar Municipal Corporation (SMC), Additional Deputy Commissioner, Srinagar, and officers from the Revenue Department and UEED during the visit.
