Shift dhobi ghats, set up 4 STPs: Panel

THE GOVERNMENT should immediately construct four sewage treatment plants (STPs) to save the Gomti from turning into a killer home for fish. Many such recommendations are being forwarded to principal secretary environment by the six-member panel probing incident of fish death in the Gomti. Dhobi ghats should be removed from the riverbanks and the Uttar Pradesh Pollution Control Board (UPPCB) should monitor dissolved oxygen levels and inform Jal Sansthan about it on a daily basis, are some of the suggestions made by the panel.

The committee is headed by municipal commissioner Ram Bodh Maurya and comprises chief medical officer KK Singh, senior superintendent of police GK Goswami, deputy director Department of Fisheries, regional officer UP Pollution Control Board and general manager Jal Sansthan DK Sharma. The committee felt washermen used chemicals which reduce dissolved oxygen levels. 

It recommended checking of samples of the river water collected on September 18 day by scientists of the ITRC to find the reason behind the death of fish in the river.

The committee has strongly objected to draining of sewage into the river.  As many as 22 out of 26 nullahs in the city pour directly into the river. So, it’s essential to built at least four STPs in the city, the report recommends. The committee has recommended that the government should take effective steps to stop 22 nullahs flowing into the river. It was also recommended to ensure coordination between the barrage staff and the Jal Sansthan officials with the UPPCB who could provide reports on level of dissolved oxygen in Gomti  twice a day. Jal Sansthan officials would accordingly order opening of barrage gates and release of water for maintaining the oxygen level, it was mooted.

The UPPCB has been directed to keep a strict watch on industries pouring untreated effluents into the Gomti.

The committee members visited the Gomti Barrage, Nadwa, STP Daulatganj, Kudia Ghat, Sarkata Nullah and Gaughat and people living in these areas told them that the colour of water had turned black due to the presence of chemicals and other pollutants.

According to sources, the committee has recommended the examination of water quality by the departments concerned at regular intervals of 15 days. Besides checking level of dissolved oxygen by the UPPCB twice a day at Gaughat and Gomti Barrage, samples must be collected once in the morning and in the evening. Reports of the samples should be given to the Jal Sansthan to help in treatment of potable water.