Inadequate Sewage Plant in Kedarnath Sparks Environmental Concerns
The 600 KLD sewage treatment plant in Kedarnath cannot manage waste from the increasing number of pilgrims. Environmental activist Amit Gupta urges enhancement or construction of a larger STP. Untreated waste impacts the Mandakini river. Authorities are considering Gupta's proposals following RTI queries.
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The existing sewage treatment plant (STP) in Kedarnath, with a capacity of 600 kilo litres per day (KLD), is insufficient to handle the waste generated by pilgrims flocking to the Himalayan temple during peak seasons, revealed environmental activist Amit Gupta on Tuesday. Gupta stressed the need for either expanding the current STP's capacity or building a new facility to address the issue.
According to Amit Gupta, who is also known for his RTI activism, the current plant meets the requirements of the area's permanent and temporary populations—numbering 5,000 and 20,000 respectively. However, pilgrim numbers have been on the rise, peaking at 30,000 on May 2 and 25,000 on May 3. Thus, the 600 KLD capacity is insufficient for managing the waste produced by both residents and visitors.
Concerns have been raised about untreated waste entering the Mandakini river, a Ganga tributary. Gupta cited a reply from Nagar Panchayat Kedarnath, estimating 26 tons of waste produced during the peak season. This has prompted the Uttrakhand Pollution Control Board to ask the PWD to consider increasing the STP's capacity, as authorities begin to respond to Gupta's initiatives.
(With inputs from agencies.)
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