Irfan Tramboo
Pahalgam, June 9: Constructed at Rs 10 crores, the Sewage Treatment Plant (STP) meant to treat sewage at the tourist resort of Pahalgam, has been left midway. A large portion of Pahalgam has not been connected with the STP, resulting in the drainage directly being discharged into river Lidder.
In Pahalgam, those who are facing the brunt of the incomplete Sewage Treatment Plant are the hoteliers who have even paid the fee on account of the sewage treatment facility, however, so far, they have not been provided with the facility.
Actually meant to treat the sewage of main Pahalgam town and Laripora side, but the plant is as of now catering to only one side, leaving the drainage from the Laripora side to be discharged into Lidder river.
Hoteliers of the area are ruing the official apathy for not initiating the process of connecting the other side of Pahalgam with the Sewage Treatment Plant and are aghast as they have submitted the fees Rs 15,000 each.
“We don’t know what is wrong with them, we have even deposited the fee that has been collected from us but as of now nothing seems to have happened,” said a hotelier, who has also deposited the money with the Pahalgam Development Authority (PDA) receipt of which lies with Excelsior.
Interestingly, 2MLD Sewerage Treatment Plant (STP) was constructed by Urban Environmental Engineering Department (UEED) at a cost of Rs 10.58 cr and was inaugurated by former Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti in May 2016. However, the project seems to have been left midway, as the officials, owing to lack of funds, said that the part which has not been connected will be taken up in Phase-II.
Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Pahalgam Development Authority (PDA) Dr Nasir Lone told Excelsior that there were some funding issues and that the remaining areas which is not connected will be taken up in Phase-II.
“Yes, the Laripora side is not connected with the plant yet, as there were issues regarding the funds; we have applied for the funds and in order to complete the unconnected part of the treatment plant,” he said, while adding that the remaining part will be taken up in Phase-II.
When asked about any timeline within which the Phase-II will be taken up, he refused to provide any timeline for that. “We have applied for funds, let’s see what happens as I cannot provide any timeline as of now,” he said.
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