Noida Residents File Complaint Over Sewage Plant Pollution
Residents of several towers within the ATS One Hamlet residential society, located in Noida's Sector 104, have raised serious concerns regarding noise and air pollution emanating from a sewage treatment plant (STP) situated on the premises of the adjoining Maharshi Mahesh Yogi Ashram Trust. The apartment owners' association (AOA) submitted a formal complaint to the chief minister's office on March 16, highlighting the environmental hazards posed by the facility.
Allegations of Untreated Wastewater Discharge
In their complaint, the AOA alleged that the STP, which is adjacent to residential towers 2, 3, and 4, is discharging untreated or partially treated wastewater into open areas. This wastewater flows into the green belt and accumulates as stagnant pools, creating a significant nuisance. The letter described the discharged water as black, frothy, and emitting a strong odour, urging immediate inspection and remedial action by the concerned authorities.
Sanjeev Varma, the president of the AOA, emphasized to TOI that if the water being released is indeed treated, it should be reused in compliance with pollution control norms rather than being allowed to flow openly. He noted that repeated attempts to address the issue with the ashram authorities have failed to yield any resolution, exacerbating the residents' distress.
Noise Pollution from Uncovered Motors
Varma further detailed the noise pollution issue, stating that huge motors operating round the clock in the STP are not covered, resulting in excessive noise that disrupts the sleep of residents in nearby towers. This continuous operational noise has become a persistent problem, affecting the quality of life for many in the society.
Ashram's Response and Denial of Wrongdoing
In response to the allegations, the ashram management denied any wrongdoing. Srikant Ojha, the director of agriculture and security at the ashram, attributed the situation to the closure of an old drainage system that had existed for over four decades. He explained that this closure followed a complaint by the residential society, leaving no outlet for the treated water.
Ojha maintained that the STP releases only treated wastewater and does not pose any environmental hazard. Regarding the reuse of treated water, he cited practical challenges, noting that the ashram's agricultural land is located far from the site, making it difficult to utilize the water effectively.
Ongoing Dispute and Previous Legal Action
The conflict between the residents and the ashram is not new. In March 2024, the AOA approached the National Green Tribunal (NGT) with allegations of illegal tree felling and construction activity on a plot designated as a green belt in the Noida master plan. The complaint accused the ashram of cutting several trees without prior approval from the competent authority.
The ashram has denied these allegations as well, stating that a forest department inspection found no violations and that no trees were felled without due permission. Ojha mentioned that the matter is currently under consideration before the tribunal, and its findings will clarify whether any norms were breached.
This ongoing dispute underscores the broader challenges of urban environmental management in rapidly developing areas like Noida, where residential and institutional spaces often intersect, leading to conflicts over pollution and land use.
