Mangaluru's Wenlock Hospital Secures Major Sewage Treatment Plant Upgrade
In a significant development for public health infrastructure, administrative approval has been officially granted for a Rs 2 crore project to upgrade the sewage treatment plant at Wenlock District Hospital in Mangaluru. This major government hospital, which serves as a critical healthcare hub in the region, will see its wastewater treatment capacity enhanced to meet contemporary requirements and address long-standing operational challenges.
Addressing Capacity and Operational Issues
The existing sewage treatment plant at Wenlock Hospital currently operates with a capacity of 350 KLD (kiloliters per day) using the upflow anaerobic sludge blanket method. However, due to persistent operational and maintenance issues that have compromised efficiency, district minister Dinesh Gundu Rao, who also serves as the health minister, initiated discussions with officials to find a sustainable solution. These deliberations culminated in the decision to undertake a comprehensive upgrade of the facility.
Technical Details of the Upgrade Project
The upgrade plan involves a strategic approach to maximize existing resources while introducing modern technology. The project will utilize the current civil infrastructure to minimize costs and environmental disruption. Key components of the upgrade include the construction of new sequencing batch reactor tanks and collection tanks, which represent a technological advancement over the previous system.
With the installation of required machinery and equipment, the sewage treatment plant's capacity will be significantly increased from 350 KLD to 500 KLD. This 43% capacity enhancement will better serve the hospital's substantial infrastructure, which comprises 21 buildings and has a bed capacity of 905, ensuring adequate wastewater treatment for both current and future needs.
Project Implementation Timeline
Following the administrative approval for the Rs 2 crore project, orders have been issued to invite tenders for the execution of the work. This procedural step marks the transition from planning to implementation phase, with contractors expected to be selected through a transparent bidding process. The upgrade represents a targeted investment in public health infrastructure that addresses both immediate operational concerns and long-term capacity requirements.
The enhanced sewage treatment capabilities will contribute to improved sanitation standards at one of Karnataka's major government hospitals, potentially reducing environmental impact and supporting the hospital's mission to provide quality healthcare services. This infrastructure improvement aligns with broader efforts to modernize public health facilities across the state.
