Yash Khajuria
Leh, Aug 29: The residents of Agling in Leh are grappling with a severe health crisis as a persistent leakage from the local Sewage Treatment Plant (STP) turns daily life into a torment. Intended to manage and treat the sewage from the area, the Agling STP has instead become a source of continuous distress for the community.
The situation has deteriorated to the extent that basic activities, including meal times, have become nearly unbearable due to the overwhelming stench. The health and quality of life for Agling’s residents are now under serious threat, prompting urgent calls for action from local officials and authorities.
Mr. Thupstan, a local representative, voiced the frustration of the affected residents, stating, “The locals are suffering badly due to this menace. The leakage in the STP often infiltrates residential complexes, creating an unbearable stench even after multiple cleaning efforts.”
This is not a new issue. For years, Agling’s residents have struggled with sewage problems, dating back to a two-pond storage system that frequently overflowed, spilling stinking water into homes. Although a protection wall was built to address these issues temporarily, the commissioning of the new STP four to five years ago has introduced new challenges.
“The STP has a limited capacity,” explained Mr. Thupstan. “Whenever the water flow increases from the Leh city areas, which happens every two to three months, the plant starts leaking from manholes and other points, causing immense hardship for locals and commuters alike.”
Despite numerous appeals to local authorities, the problem remains unresolved. Residents have been met with assurances but no concrete action, leading to growing dissatisfaction. Tundup, another local resident, pointed to potential design flaws in the STP as the root of the recurring leakage. “There seems to be some fault with the design of this STP,” he said, urging authorities to address the issue promptly. “If the situation does not improve soon, we may have to escalate the matter to the Hon’ble LG office.”
In response, the Public Works Department (PWD) has denied any design faults, attributing recent sewage overflows to damage caused by a JCB machine at the outlet pipe. “Efforts are underway to repair the damage, and we expect the issue to be resolved within a day or two,” a PWD official assured.
However, these assurances have done little to alleviate the concerns of residents like Sonam Yangjor, who has called on the Chief Executive Councillor (CEC) of the Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council (LAHDC) Leh to intervene. “The leakage or overflow of sewage water from the STP has caused significant inconvenience to the people of Agling and demands prompt attention,” Yangjor emphasized.
The situation has been further exacerbated by recent construction work for a sewage diversion pipeline towards the Aagling Nala. This project led to the digging up of the Skitsal Agling road, which had only recently been resurfaced. “The residents were overjoyed to have a smooth road after such a long time, but now, after just a month, it’s back to being in poor condition,” Yangjor lamented, calling for immediate road repairs.
Adding to the community’s woes, Deechen, another local, recalled a previous incident where pipe leakage blocked the road, making movement difficult for children, animals, and residents. The persistent foul smell poses a serious health threat, highlighting the urgent need for intervention.
Agling’s residents are now calling on the local government to address these issues with urgency. The continuous exposure to the foul odor and the disruption of daily life are causing significant distress. Without prompt action, the situation could escalate into more severe health and environmental problems.
