- Site inspection uncovers major faults at STP in Agling
Yash KhajuriaLeh, Sept 01: A high-level delegation conducted a thorough inspection of the Sewage Treatment Plant (STP) in Agling, Leh, on Saturday, addressing urgent concerns over leaks and operational failures that have alarmed local communities.
This significant visit was prompted by reports of severe sewage overflows and pipeline blockages that have raised environmental and public health risks in the region.
The inspection was led by Sanjeev Khirwar, Principal Secretary of Housing & Urban Development; and Michael D’ Souza, Administrative Secretary of Public Works and Public Health Engineering (PWD/PHE). They were joined by Councillor of Phyang Constituency, district officers from various departments, including the Forest Department and the Municipal Committee (MC) Leh, as well as representatives from Agling village.
The delegation’s visit followed rising concerns voiced by local villagers and extensively reported by ‘The Earth News’. Recent media coverage highlighted the STP’s malfunctioning pipelines, which have not only disrupted the main road but also contaminated a nearby irrigation canal—posing a serious threat to both public health and safety.
During the inspection, Principal Secretary Khirwar issued explicit directives to the Igoo-Phey Division to urgently identify and fix leakage and blockage points in the outflow pipeline. He set a strict deadline of September 10, 2024, for the submission of a comprehensive report on the rectifications.
In addition, the regular inspection of manholes was mandated to prevent future blockages and ensure the facility’s smooth operation.
Further adding to the urgency, the Principal Secretary set a critical deadline of September 5, 2024, for the installation of pumping machinery at a newly constructed 380-cubic-meter storage tank.
This tank, designed to manage sewage overflow during nighttime hours, remains non-operational due to delays in equipment installation—a situation that has worsened the facility’s operational challenges.
The inspection uncovered several critical issues, including an excess sewage inflow surpassing the plant’s design capacity. The delegation directed the PHE Department, Igoo-Phey Division Leh, and MC Leh to conduct a detailed inspection to determine the root cause of this surge. There was also a mandate to assess whether hotels with independent STPs are effectively reusing treated water and to address any punctures or leaks in the sewage pipelines.
In a broader strategic move, the Municipal Committee, Leh, was instructed to transfer Rs. 16.00 lakhs to the Igoo-Phey Division to expedite forest clearance approvals.
Additionally, the Igoo-Phey Division was tasked with developing a comprehensive action plan for the reuse of treated wastewater. This plan, to be submitted to the Housing & Urban Development Department (HUDD), must include specific data on water quantities and details on where the treated water is being supplied.
Land ownership and potential encroachments near the STP were also key concerns raised during the inspection. The Additional Deputy Commissioner of Leh was directed to verify land ownership records and ensure the removal of any unauthorized structures around the plant.
After the inspection, Principal Secretary Sanjeev Khirwar stressed the importance of swift and efficient action. “Timely action is crucial to ensure that the STP operates efficiently and to prevent further environmental damage,” he stated, underscoring the need for immediate implementation of the directives.
