Lieutenant Governor Vinai Kumar Saxena has sanctioned the construction of a Decentralised Sewerage Treatment Plant (DSTP) in Leh, with an allocated budget of ₹9.12 crore. This initiative aims to bolster sanitation infrastructure and safeguard the fragile Himalayan ecosystem of Ladakh.
Information was available with The Chenab Times that the project is designed as a sustainable, long-term solution for wastewater management in Leh town, prioritising the preservation of Ladakh’s ecologically sensitive environment.
Officials stated that the DSTP will facilitate the treatment of sewage at its point of origin. This approach is expected to considerably reduce the reliance on extensive sewer networks and prevent untreated sewage and faecal sludge from contaminating stormwater drains and river basins.
The Lieutenant Governor has granted administrative approval and expenditure sanction for the project, amounting to ₹9.12 crore. An initial allocation of ₹1.80 crore has been made from the Union Territory’s savings towards the Public Health Engineering (PHE) Department to commence the new work.
The adoption of a decentralised approach is intended to ensure wastewater treatment at the source, promote the rejuvenation of rivers and drainage channels, enable water recycling and reuse, mitigate environmental and health hazards, and optimise land utilisation. This method is also seen as an alternative to the substantial land acquisition, significant investment, and extended timelines typically associated with establishing centralised treatment facilities.
Emphasising the imperative for environmental conservation and sustainable urban development in Ladakh, LG Saxena remarked that decentralised sewerage treatment represents an innovative and environmentally sound solution. He highlighted its potential to protect water bodies, enhance public health, facilitate water reuse, and support planned urban expansion while preserving the region’s delicate ecosystem for future generations.
The proposed plant, situated at Agling-1 (Camp 6 & 7), is projected to serve a current population of approximately 915 individuals. The infrastructure will be designed to accommodate a projected population of 1,464 persons over a 15-year design period. The facility will possess a treatment capacity of 200 kilolitres per day (KLD), exceeding the required capacity of 158 KLD.
The project scope includes the installation of a Portable Membrane Bioreactor (MBR) Package Plant, a technology deemed highly suitable for Ladakh’s distinct geographical, climatic, and topographical characteristics. Additionally, the project encompasses the construction of a 3,200-metre gravity sewer network and a one-lakh-litre collection tank. Road restoration will also be undertaken in areas affected by the sewerage infrastructure installation.
Treated wastewater from the plant is planned for reuse in the lower areas of the Abi Canal for landscaping and other appropriate applications. This measure is expected to promote water conservation and reuse within the arid cold desert region, which faces water scarcity.
The Chenab Times News Desk