Patna : Patna’s Digha-Kankarbagh integrated sewage infrastructure project has received international recognition after winning the Silver Award in the Exceptional Project Execution and Delivery category at the International Water Association (IWA) Project Innovation Awards 2026.
Implemented by the Bihar Urban Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited (BUIDCO) under the Namami Gange Mission, the project was honoured at a ceremony held in Glasgow, United Kingdom, on October 6, 2026.
The award recognises the project’s execution and delivery, as well as its role in strengthening urban wastewater management and supporting efforts to prevent untreated sewage from entering the Ganga.
Two Sewage Treatment Plants Have A Combined Capacity Of 150 MLD
The integrated project includes two modern sewage treatment plants (STPs), with a combined treatment capacity of 150 million litres per day (MLD).
The Digha plant has a capacity of 100 MLD, while the Kankarbagh facility can treat 50 MLD. The project also includes a sewage network extending over 227 kilometres, covering densely populated areas of Patna.
The infrastructure is designed to collect and treat wastewater before it reaches the Ganga, helping reduce the discharge of untreated sewage into the river.
The project forms part of the broader Namami Gange Mission, which seeks to improve sewage treatment infrastructure and support the conservation and rejuvenation of the Ganga.
Project Combines Long-Term Operations With Green Energy
The project has been implemented using a combination of the Design-Build-Operate (DBO) approach and the Hybrid Annuity Model (HAM).
The arrangement includes 15 years of operation and maintenance, providing for the continued operation of the facilities after construction.
The sewage treatment plants are also equipped with systems to generate energy from biogas. This is intended to help reduce operating costs and limit the environmental impact of treatment operations.
According to the project details released by the state government, the plants have been designed to be compact and efficient, enabling wastewater treatment in densely populated urban areas.
Second International Award For The Project In 2026
The IWA Silver Award is the project’s second major international recognition this year. It has also received the Wastewater Project of the Year honour at the Global Water Awards 2026.
Receiving two international awards in the same year highlights the project’s recognition in the field of wastewater infrastructure and treatment, according to the state government.
The awards also bring attention to BUIDCO’s role in delivering urban infrastructure projects aimed at improving sanitation and environmental management.
Project Supports Ganga Conservation And Urban Sanitation
The Digha-Kankarbagh project is intended to address the challenge of wastewater management in Patna, where growing urban development has increased the need for reliable sewage collection and treatment facilities.
By combining treatment plants with an extensive sewage network, the project aims to reduce the flow of untreated wastewater into the Ganga and strengthen the city’s sanitation infrastructure.
The international recognition comes as Bihar continues to develop urban infrastructure under the Namami Gange Mission. The project’s long-term environmental benefits will depend on the effective operation of its treatment plants, maintenance of the sewage network and sustained prevention of untreated wastewater discharge into the river.
