Nearly a third of sewage treatment plants (STPs) in Uttarakhand are discharging untreated sewage into the Ganga River and its tributaries despite significant public spending, according to a recent audit by the Comptroller and Auditor General of India. The report said 12 of 44 plants, about 32%, were releasing untreated wastewater due to inadequate capacity, faulty connections and poor maintenance.
The audit, covering 2018–2023, highlighted gaps between investment and outcomes, noting that nearly Rs 1,000 crore was spent in the state with limited improvement in sewage management. Pollution concerns remain acute along the river stretch from Devprayag to Haridwar, despite decades of clean-up efforts,Down by Earthreported.
The audit found several plants either underperforming or failing entirely due to technical and operational issues. Facilities in Rishikesh, Kirti Nagar and Rudraprayag were discharging untreated sewage directly because of insufficient capacity or damage to drain-tapping systems, often worsened by heavy rains.
In multiple locations, leaks, clogged systems and unaddressed structural faults prevented proper treatment. In Gopeshwar and Karnaprayag, damaged infrastructure remained unrepaired, while some plants failed to capture grey water from households. The report also flagged weak oversight, citing a February 2023 inspection where untreated sewage was found being discharged into the river without any legal action taken. In addition, 18 plants were not taken over by maintenance agencies due to safety and construction concerns, delaying operations and weakening monitoring systems.
Compliance with environmental standards was found to be poor. Of the 44 plants inspected early in 2023, only five met norms set by the National Green Tribunal, while most failed to meet prescribed benchmarks.
The situation worsened later in the year, with only three plants meeting standards. Thirty-three plants also fell short of norms set by the Union environment ministry.
The report pointed to alarming levels of faecal coliform, far exceeding safe limits, indicating severe contamination. Water quality remained largely in the ‘B’ category in Haridwar and Rishikesh, with only brief improvement during the COVID-19 lockdown. Discrepancies between data recorded by the Central Pollution Control Board and the state board raised concerns about monitoring reliability, while no laboratory in the state applied for accreditation despite allocated funds.
The audit also highlighted major infrastructure and planning gaps under the Namami Gange programme.
While over Rs 14,000 crore was released nationally between 2014 and 2023, several plants in Uttarakhand remained unconnected to sewer networks, making them ineffective.
In some towns, treatment facilities were built but had no household connections, described as “symbolic” by auditors. There were stark imbalances, with some plants operating far beyond capacity while others were severely underutilised. Sewer connectivity remained low across several towns, leaving large volumes of wastewater untreated.
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