Patna: Patna is set to roll out a comprehensive sewerage network aimed at tackling long-standing problems of contaminated drinking water and untreated waste flowing into the Ganges, with 11 projects currently under way under the National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG).
The schemes, with a combined cost of Rs 3,237.69 crore, are expected to add sewage treatment capacity of 350 million litres a day (MLD) and lay more than 1,140km of sewer lines across the Bihar capital. Officials say the upgrades are designed to meet the city’s projected sewage generation of 320 MLD by 2035 and ensure that no untreated effluent enters the river.
Authorities have also set a target of providing sewer connections to every household in Patna. Urban planners argue that a citywide sewerage network will address persistent complaints of polluted tap water by preventing sewage from leaking into drinking water pipelines through open drains and ageing infrastructure.
As part of the plan, new sewage treatment plants (STPs) with a capacity of 60 MLD each are being constructed in the Saidpur and Pahari sewerage zones, alongside a 376km sewer network. In three other zones — Karmalichak, Digha and Kankarbagh — work is in progress on STPs with a combined capacity of 150 MLD and more than 534km of sewerage lines.
Four additional projects, including the Beur STP and associated sewer networks in Beur, Saidpur and Karmalichak, are being implemented at a cost of Rs 738.04 crore. These are expected to add another 140 MLD of treatment capacity and nearly 423km of sewer pipelines.
The Urban Development and Housing Department said that some sections of the network had already been completed. In the Pahari zone, a 92km sewerage network has been finished, connecting about 7,700 households. In the Saidpur area, a 55km network has been completed, bringing sewer connections to 7,229 households. In total, 14,929 households in the two zones are now linked to the system.
Officials say the completion of all projects will significantly reduce pollution in the Ganges while providing Patna with a modern, citywide sewerage system and safer drinking water supply.
