Central Pollution Body Raises Alarm Over Kedarnath Sewage Treatment Plant Coverage
The Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) has issued a critical letter to the Uttarakhand Pollution Control Board (UKPCB), highlighting a significant oversight in the ongoing sewage treatment plant (STP) project at the revered Kedarnath shrine. The central authority has flagged that the current STP infrastructure fails to account for nearly 1,000 tents accommodating pilgrims along the yatra route, leaving a substantial population without proper waste management.
Major Population Exclusion in STP Planning
Officials have confirmed that the STP system, which is approximately 85% complete, was originally designed to serve an existing resident population of about 5,000 individuals and a floating population of nearly 20,000 pilgrims. However, this planning crucially omits around 10,000 pilgrims who stay in tents and other temporary structures located outside the formal boundaries of the Kedarnath nagar panchayat.
In its formal communication, the CPCB explicitly stated that there is no separate STP facility to treat the sewage and wastewater generated from these tent areas situated in revenue villages beyond the nagar panchayat limits. This glaring gap has resulted in untreated wastewater from these excluded zones flowing directly into the sacred Mandakini river, posing severe environmental and health risks.
State Authorities Respond and Historical Context
Officials from the Uttarakhand Pollution Control Board have acknowledged the concerns raised by the central body. "We have already directed the local Jal Sansthan unit working on the project to address these issues," stated Rakesh Kandari, Environment Engineer at the UKPCB. This directive comes after the UKPCB had previously sought an increase in the STP's capacity last year to better accommodate the pilgrimage's demands.
The issue is not entirely new. In September 2025, reports indicated that the National Mission for Clean Ganga had recommended decentralized solutions for wastewater management in areas that fall outside the scope of the centralized STP project. This matter remains pending before the National Green Tribunal, with the next hearing scheduled for February 23.
Parallel Developments and Project Timeline
Simultaneously, the carrying capacity study at the Kedarnath shrine, conducted by the Wildlife Institute of India, has been completed. The comprehensive report has been formally submitted to the state government, and officials have announced that the findings will be presented on February 16, potentially influencing future infrastructure and management decisions.
Regarding the STP project timeline, it was initially slated for completion before the 2025 yatra season. Despite the current challenges and identified gaps, officials have expressed optimism that the plant will be operational before the commencement of this year's pilgrimage, though adjustments may be necessary to address the CPCB's concerns.
The situation underscores the complex balance between accommodating large numbers of pilgrims and preserving the fragile Himalayan ecosystem, with urgent calls for integrated waste management solutions that cover all temporary settlements along the yatra route.
