The Times of India 03.05.2013
Sewage fouls Tapi's purity
SURAT: River Tapi stinks because of release of untreated sewage water into it by many government and other offices. Surat Municipal Corporation (SMC) had found BharatSancharNigam Limited (BSNL), income tax department, government circuit house and police among those responsible for releasing sewage waters directly into Tapi.
Of the 6,411 locations inspected by SMC, at least 1,543 illegal sewage drainage connections were found connected to storm water drainage which pollutes Tapi. Of the 1,543 illegal connections, 190 are of government offices, senior SMC officials told TOI.
These details came to light during a study done by SMC in 2012. The survey cost SMC Rs 33 lakh, but the civic body is yet to stop the sewage flow into the river.
This has affected the quality of water. The dissolved oxygen is reported 'zero' in Tapi near Ginger Hotel, Sardar Bridge and Ved Road. The biochemical oxygen demand (BOD) level is 315 milligram per litre as against the standard limit of 30 mg per litre. The chemical oxygen demand (COD) level is high in Tapi at Sardar Bridge, Vivekanand Bridge and Singapore areas. It is between 520mg/lt to 800 mg/lt when it should be below 250 mg/lt. "We are working to block the sewage connections to the storm water drainage. We will seal all the illegal connections," deputy engineer and in charge head of drainage department D C Bhagvagar said.
When contacted, the income-tax department spokesperson said, "The office is not aware about this. We will have to check it at our end."
About Umra police station's sewage connection to storm water drainage, a senior police official said, "I don't have the exact idea about it since it was constructed seven years ago."
Offices found releasing sewage into storm water drainage:
Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL), Ghod Dod Road
Income tax department, Majura Gate
S and S S Ghandhy Engineering College, Majura Gate
Umra police station, Athwa Lines,
Railway Reservation Centre, Athwa Gate
State Government Circuit House, Athwa Lines
Navsari Agricultural University, Ghod Dod Road
SMC's pay and use public toilet, Gotalawadi, Athwa Gate, Ved Road
State Bank Of India, Roopam Cinema
Of the 6,411 locations inspected by SMC, at least 1,543 illegal sewage drainage connections were found connected to storm water drainage which pollutes Tapi. Of the 1,543 illegal connections, 190 are of government offices, senior SMC officials told TOI.
These details came to light during a study done by SMC in 2012. The survey cost SMC Rs 33 lakh, but the civic body is yet to stop the sewage flow into the river.
This has affected the quality of water. The dissolved oxygen is reported 'zero' in Tapi near Ginger Hotel, Sardar Bridge and Ved Road. The biochemical oxygen demand (BOD) level is 315 milligram per litre as against the standard limit of 30 mg per litre. The chemical oxygen demand (COD) level is high in Tapi at Sardar Bridge, Vivekanand Bridge and Singapore areas. It is between 520mg/lt to 800 mg/lt when it should be below 250 mg/lt. "We are working to block the sewage connections to the storm water drainage. We will seal all the illegal connections," deputy engineer and in charge head of drainage department D C Bhagvagar said.
When contacted, the income-tax department spokesperson said, "The office is not aware about this. We will have to check it at our end."
About Umra police station's sewage connection to storm water drainage, a senior police official said, "I don't have the exact idea about it since it was constructed seven years ago."
Offices found releasing sewage into storm water drainage:
Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL), Ghod Dod Road
Income tax department, Majura Gate
S and S S Ghandhy Engineering College, Majura Gate
Umra police station, Athwa Lines,
Railway Reservation Centre, Athwa Gate
State Government Circuit House, Athwa Lines
Navsari Agricultural University, Ghod Dod Road
SMC's pay and use public toilet, Gotalawadi, Athwa Gate, Ved Road
State Bank Of India, Roopam Cinema
