In a significant development, Lucknow Municipal Commissioner Gaurav Kumar has issued strict directives for the immediate repair of the city's 50 million litres per day (MLD) sewage treatment plant (STP) located in Loniyapurwa. This action came during a surprise inspection on Saturday, where it was discovered that the crucial facility has been completely non-operational since June 19 due to a major pipeline leak.
Inspection Reveals Months of Inaction
During the site visit, Commissioner Kumar discovered the root cause of the shutdown: a significant leak in a 1,600 mm diameter inlet pipeline and its connected chamber. These components were originally installed by UP Jal Nigam (urban). Expressing strong dissatisfaction with the prolonged delay, Kumar instructed the General Manager of Jalkal, Kuldeep Singh, and the project agency, M/s Suez India Pvt Ltd, to begin repair work without any further delay. He emphasized that the plant is a vital part of the Namami Gange programme and warned that any additional laxity would not be tolerated.
Warnings Ignored for Months
It has now come to light that the severe problem was not a sudden discovery. Officials revealed that the project manager and the chief engineer (Ganga) of UP Jal Nigam (rural) had flagged the issue multiple times. Several written communications were reportedly sent starting from July, highlighting the urgent need for repairs. However, no concrete action was taken on the ground until the commissioner's intervention.
The prolonged closure has had serious consequences. It has disrupted sewage management in the surrounding areas and has also stalled the overall progress of the important infrastructure project aimed at cleaning the Ganga.
Directives for Durable Repairs
After personally examining the damaged pipeline and chambers, Commissioner Kumar gave specific instructions to ensure the problem does not recur. He directed UP Jal Nigam (rural) to ensure proper earth filling is done after the repairs are completed. This step is critical to prevent future pipeline leaks or even a potential collapse. Kumar stressed that all repair work must adhere to the prescribed technical standards to guarantee long-term functionality.
The inspection was attended by key officials including Additional Municipal Commissioner Pankaj Srivastava, GM Jalkal Kuldeep Singh, and engineers from both Jalkal and UP Jal Nigam, along with representatives from the project agency M/s Suez India Pvt Ltd.
