Many of our RWAs/ federation members and residents are least interested beyond their boundaries resulting in havoc like situations in the near future. We are facing mosquito attacks beyond control and diversion of manpower and resources meant for us. We are fighting a case to safeguard our colony’s aquifer for future requirements.
As everyone knows that DJB had diverted Sonia Vihar water share of Vasant Kunj to adjoining unauthorized / village colonies and even beyond that. Only possibility for future VasantKunj needs can be of the ground water which is again being contaminated by these illegal colony residents and their support officials. Our environmental courts were in favour of using STP water for water bodies instead of diverting rain water drains, is completely lacking ground realities. This option given by the government experts were accepted blindly.
People may say what is the harm if STP water is used for irrigation is diverted to water bodies. Many of us agree with irrigation by STP (really working STP water) but completely no to water bodies. Why? Because a constant flow of untreated/ partial untreated goes to water bodies and due to pressure ingredient water contamination reaches slowly into our aquife.
Present government and its consultants deliberately give proposal for STP plants near water bodies to help unauthorized/unplanned colonies sewage treatment as these lack spaces within colonies and political establishment don’t want to risk their vote bank. Now since there is no planning in such colonies their requirements and authorities are keeping blind eye on illegal constructions its fallout is being faced by our area residents and even leading to blocking of our future options.
NGT has taken a serious stand in our favour. This is just a tip of the iceberg we are pointing at as most of other water bodies maybe are in such a state like ours. Why is it happening? STP plant is installed well below the actual requirement. This plant uses expensive chemicals to be added while aerating for few hours before it is released to lake. There is a bypass system also in case plant is not working. There are completely no SOPs and protocols to keep check on working of STP. Why a contractor/ officials will follow due procedure? No checks and balances in place.
Last two hearings while waiting for our case I used to listen to other cases too, this gives another dimension to our thinking process. Many DMs, EnC and experts were asked to appear and their excuses are also very interesting. One can plan for one’s case on how to argue. Most of hearings were on STP not working or releasing industrial waste into local ponds or merge with irrigation canals resulting in damaging of the crops.
Online monitoring of input and output of STP is the only solution available for each STP like air pollution monitors. We are going to demand the same in our next hearing, not only for this but SOP for any STP in the country. But sometimes I feel why I am doing all this when no one is interested in the outcome of all this exercise? But the support from various media (and especially the editor of Samvada) encourages me to keep fighting.
