Villagers oppose sewage treatment plant, stall work
Residents of Khabbal and Katholi gram panchayats in Nagrota Surian development block in the neighbouring Jawali Assembly constituency yesterday protested against the Jal Shakti Department (JSD) for starting the construction work for a sewage treatment plant (STP) .
The STP is meant for a sewerage project proposed for newly formed Nagrota Surian Nagar Panchayat. The department officials, who visited the plant site along with the contractor, were reportedly not allowed to start the construction work.
GS Vedi and Rimple Kumari, pradhans of Katholi and Khabbal gram panchayats, respectively, along with other residents opposed the construction of the STP near Meenu Khud between Katholi and adjoining Khabbal panchayats.
They want the department to relocate the plant outside the inhabited rural area. They lamented that the plant proposed to be built in the middle of both panchayats would pose health and other problems to the rural populace in future.
JSD Jawali Division Executive Engineer Ajay Sharma, when contacted, said keeping in view the objections of the panchayats, the department would contemplate to relocate the site near Ghaj khud in Nagrota Surian where the department had its own land. The site was away from inhabited area, he added. He reiterated that public interest in undertaking any development project was the priority of the department.
The state government had sanctioned a sewerage project for the Nagrota Surian Nagar Panchayat, which was carved out after merging Nagrota Surian, Bassa, Sugnara and Katholi Gram Panchayats. The project has envisaged to provide sewerage facility to around 18,000 residents of the area. Recently, the JSD had awarded tender for the construction of a STP and part of laying lines for Rs 12.98 crore.
The total estimated cost of the project is Rs 36 crore and it will be funded under the NABARD scheme. So far, no funds allocation has been made even as the department has submitted its budget demand to the high-ups.
Himachal Tribune