Gzb’s new project to save 40MLD of groundwater

The Ghaziabad municipal corporation has initiated a project to supply 40 million litres per day (MLD) of treated water from its sewage treatment plant (STP) in Indirapuram to about 1,650 industrial units in Sahibabad Site IV industrial area in an effort to save groundwater.

Earlier in April, the corporation got bonds listed at the Bombay Stock Exchange and generated ₹150 crore for the ambitious project.

The resources in trans-hindon areas of Ghaziabad have shown a decline in groundwater levels. According to the UP groundwater department, the post-monsoon water level in Sahibabad was 23.15 metres below ground level (mbgl) in 2016, which fell to 31.56 mbgl, post monsoon, in 2020.

The cost of the project is estimated at ₹239 crore, which officials said will be revised. The project is scheduled to be completed in 27 months. Officials said they are planning to finish the project in 24 months.

“The treated water will be supplied to 1,650 industrial units. This will help us save groundwater resources. Within one month, work on the project will start -- we will call for expressions of interest and float tenders. We have received ₹150 crore for the project by issuing bonds and we will arrange the rest on our own,” said MS Tanwar, municipal commissioner.

The Sahibabad Site IV industrial area -- spread over 1,600 acres and housing close to 2,000 units--was developed in the 1960s when water resources were not exploited. Officials said they have recently signed an MOU with the industrial area association for treated water.

“We have many water-intensive units which are solely dependent on groundwater. As per the agreement, the corporation will lay pipelines and supply treated water. Nowadays, there are restrictions on ground water usage. So, the issue of short supply was also raised in various meetings with the administration,” said Mukesh Gupta, general secretary, Sahibabad Site IV industrial area.

“We will charge between ₹43 per kilo litre (1,000 litres) and ₹113 per kilolitre from industrial units. We will also install water metres at the site. Overall, we plan to lay 95km of pipeline for the project. The water will be diverted from our 56 MLD STP in Indirapuram to a new tertiary STP, which will be constructed as part of the project,” said Yogesh Srivastava, general manager (water works) from the municipal corporation.

The distance between STP in Indirapuram and the industrial area is about 5km. To make the water fit for use, officials said the water will be further treated to bring down biochemical oxygen demand.

Environmentalists hailed the project. “It should be completed in time as groundwater is depleting. Further, there are several STPS in Ghaziabad. More treated water should be diverted to units and for plantations. This will improve water resources,” said Akash Vashishtha, a citybased environmentalist.