If you’ve been wondering why the construction of the sewage treatment plant in Aundh is facing delays, here’s the scoop. The proposed site for the plant falls within a biodiversity heritage site, making the approval process a bit more complicated than expected.
The Pune Municipal Corporation’s initiative to establish a 10 MLD sewage treatment plant in Aundh is part of a larger project funded by the Japan International Cooperation Agency. However, the particular site chosen for the Aundh STP is causing some issues. The area, which is part of the Botanical Garden within Mahatma Phule Krishi Vidyapeeth, was designated as a biodiversity heritage site back in 2020.
Initially, the Krishi Vidyapeeth had given the green light for the STP project. But after the site was declared a biodiversity heritage site, they retracted their approval, citing the protected status of the area. Now, the PMC is working to secure the necessary approvals from the State Biodiversity Board and the forest department to move forward with the project.
While the forest department and the State Biodiversity Board have conducted a joint inspection of the site and have indicated that the land transfer could be done without significant environmental impact, the final decision lies with the central government. The PMC has formally requested the state government to amend the gazette notification to facilitate the land transfer and is committed to submitting a revised proposal once all the necessary approvals are in place.
The executive council of Mahatma Phule Krishi Vidyapeeth has also stated that they will approve the land transfer once all the approvals are secured and the gazette notification is amended accordingly. The resolution of this issue is crucial for advancing Pune’s sewage treatment infrastructure while also ensuring environmental preservation.
So, while the project may be facing some delays now, it seems like the stakeholders involved are working towards finding a solution that will benefit both the city’s sewage treatment system and the protection of the environment. Stay tuned for more updates on this developing story.
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