Ahmedabad: About 786.49MLD of sewage water continues to be discharged every day from different areas of Ahmedabad city into the Sabarmati River. The Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation (AMC) had planned to treat this sewage water using the bioremediation method six months ago, but the official treatment has not yet begun.
On Sep 25, 2024, the water and sewage committee created a panel of five companies to execute a pilot project to treat 786.49MLD of sewage water every day using bioremediation before releasing it into the river. However, the deadline of March 1, 2025, passed without the completion of the pilot project, and notices were issued to some contractors.
The water and sewage committee and the standing committee decided to pay Rs 1,750 per MLD to the panel of five companies, resulting in an annual expenditure of Rs 50.20 crore for treating 786.49MLD of sewage water using the bioremediation method. A total expenditure of Rs 150.61 crore is planned over three years.
Sources indicate that Ahmedabad generates 1,693MLD of sewage daily, while the city’s 14 treatment plants have a capacity of 1,252MLD, treating 1,080MLD every day. However, some plants do not meet the necessary capacity and parameters for treatment.
A survey by the AMC revealed that previously, 613MLD of sewage water was directly discharged into the Sabarmati river, causing pollution. With the anticipated increase in sewage flow in the coming years, a tender was issued to treat 786.49MLD of sewage water using bioremediation for a three-year term. These companies are tasked with setting up machinery at specific locations for pilot projects, and sample testing is underway to ensure treatment meets the required parameters.
Sources said that the tender for treating 786.49MLD of sewage water using bioremediation was issued without specifying whether contractors should purchase Indian-made or foreign-made flow meters, leading to discussions between contractors and the AMC.
Sample testing has begun, with initial results being positive, according to officials.
Notably, some older STP plants in the eastern and western regions of Ahmedabad do not treat sewage water according to parameters. Currently, the plan is to treat 786.49MLD of sewage water daily using bioremediation. The civic body is also planning to treat sewage water entering lakes and other STP plants using bioremediation due to non-compliance with parameters.