Patna : An FIR has been lodged against two major companies for allegedly allowing untreated sewage to flow into the Ganga in Patna. The case, registered at Kadamkuan police station, names MS Toshiba Water Solution Private Limited and ENS Infracon, both responsible for operating and maintaining the Saidpur Sewage Treatment Plant (STP) under the Namami Gange project.
The action was taken by Animesh Kumar Parashar, managing director of Bihar Urban Infrastructure Development Corporation (Budco), after an inspection by the National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG) on December 28 last year. The inspection reportedly exposed severe lapses in the operation and maintenance of the treatment plant.
Untreated sewage flowing into the Ganga
According to officials, both companies failed to treat sewage as per prescribed environmental standards, allowing contaminated water to enter the river. Following these findings, Budco directed that a case be registered under sections 277 (polluting a water source), 290 (public nuisance), 425 (mischief), 426 (punishment for mischief), and 511 (attempting an offence) of the Indian Penal Code.
Pollution board imposes Rs1.09 crore fine
In addition to the FIR, the Bihar State Pollution Control Board has imposed a fine of Rs1.09 crore on the two companies. A press release issued by the board on 1 March stated that the Saidpur STP, which has the capacity to treat 60 million litres of sewage per day, was failing to meet environmental standards.
Authorities found that the untreated wastewater led to continued pollution of the Ganga, with dangerous bacteria such as total coliform and fecal coliform persisting at unsafe levels.The lack of proper treatment meant that the multi-crore Namami Gange project—designed to clean and rejuvenate the river—was not yielding any tangible benefits.
