The Gandhinagar Municipal Corporation (GMC) finds itself under intense scrutiny as a critical project to build a new Sewage Treatment Plant (STP) in the Jaspur area has been delayed by nearly six months. This holdup persists even as the existing facility overflows, releasing untreated sewage into open land and posing significant public health and environmental risks.
A Growing Crisis and a Delayed Solution
The heart of the problem lies at the existing Jaspur STP, located near the SG Highway. This plant has been operating far beyond its intended capacity for a considerable time. The direct consequence is a persistent and unsightly overflow of untreated sewage into the surrounding areas. Frustrated residents have frequently taken to social media, sharing videos that highlight the severity of the ongoing mess.
To address this urgent civic issue, the GMC had planned a new, state-of-the-art sewage treatment plant with a capacity of 100 million liters per day (MLD). The ambitious project, pegged at an estimated cost of Rs 189.58 crore, also includes a new pumping station, upgrades to existing pumping infrastructure, and a five-year operation and maintenance contract. However, instead of a fast-tracked process, the tender has been mired in delays and repeated amendments.
A Tender Process Mired in Amendments and Allegations
According to documented timelines, the civic body first floated the tender for this crucial infrastructure in July 2025, with an initial plan to finalize it within the same month. Contrary to this goal, a senior GMC official revealed that the tender was amended as many as 10 times over the subsequent six months, with deadlines being extended repeatedly. The tender was eventually cancelled and reissued.
In the revised tender document, significant changes were made. The key financial eligibility criteria for bidders was altered, and experience requirements were modified. Notably, allegations have surfaced that the norms for "prior experience in constructing STPs" may have been relaxed. Provisions were reportedly added to consider experience in other types of work, such as pipeline laying. Furthermore, parameters governing the quality of the treated water output were also modified. The price bids were opened only after these extensive changes were incorporated.
Prolonged Suffering for Residents
Sources within the GMC have acknowledged that the new STP is critical to stopping the relentless sewage overflow. The existing Jaspur plant simply receives more wastewater than it can process. The current delay means that even after the tender is finally awarded, the construction itself is expected to take at least 24 months. This timeline prolongs the wait for relief for local residents, who must continue to endure the health hazards and nuisance caused by the overflowing sewage.
The repeated delays in finalizing the tender for such an urgent public health project have triggered serious questions about the efficiency of processes within the municipal corporation. With environmental concerns mounting and public frustration boiling over on social media, the GMC is under pressure to explain why a project of this importance was not fast-tracked to completion.
