Cuttack:The inauguration ceremony of a 36 Million Litres per Day (MLD) Sewerage Treatment Plant (STP) was held at Bidanosi, Cuttack under Odisha Integrated Sanitation Improvement Project (II) today. The objective of the Project is to construct sewerage and drainage facilities thereby improving sanitary conditions of the residents including the underprivileged in Bhubaneswar and Cuttack cities, and improving water quality of surrounded rivers.
The inaugurated STP would treat 36 MLD of sewerin Cuttack and will provide reliable sewerage service in the State of Odisha. The OdishaWater Supply and Sewerage Board under Urban Development and Housing, Government of Odisha, is the Executing Agency of the Project.
The flag off ceremony was inaugurated by Mr. Naveen Patnaik, Chief Minister (CM), Government of Odisha (GoO) and attended by Mr. Pratap Jena, Hon’ble Minister Health and Family Welfare, GoO; Mr. Bhartruhari Mahtab, Hon’ble Member of Parliament (MP), Cuttack; Mr. C.S Mohapatra, Addl. Secretary, DEA; G. Mathi Vathanan, Commissioner cum secretary, Housing and Urban Development Department (HUDD), GoO andMr. Katsuo Matsumoto, Chief Representative, Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) India Office, amongst other dignitaries.
Speaking on the occasion, Mr. Katsuo Matsumoto, Chief Representative, JICA India said, “In order to improve the living condition within twin cities Cuttack and Bhubaneshwar in Odisha, JICA has been supportingthe construction of three STPs and related facilities in Bhubaneshwar and Cuttack. It is expected to treat roughly 8 lakhs people’s sewerage under these STPs and JICA is proud to contribute in improving sanitation and living conditions of Odisha.This Project is special in a sense that Government of Odisha has established a special entity, called WATCO (Water Corporation of Odisha Limited), for sustainable operation and maintenance. I hope that these completed facilities would be continuously functioned through WATCO’s operation and byobtaining wider support from the citizen of both cities.”
JICA has assisted 44,857 million Japanese Yen (approximately INR2,400 crore) for the Orissa Integrated Sanitation Improvement Project. During the rainy season when the water level of the Kathajori and Mahanadi rivers are high, the drainage systems do not function smoothly due to back water from the rivers although pumping facilities are provided. JICA is also instrumental in taking care of water and sanitation issue which will be replicated in Cuttack and other areas to ensure proper management of water supply and sewerage. The Project aims at stopping untreated domestic sewerage into the river nearby preventing water clogging at source, by developing advanced sewerage systems in Odisha.
In India, JICA has funded 25 water and sanitation projects across the country, amounting to ODA loans worth 752 billion Japanese Yen (approximately INR. 44,500 crores). JICA is supporting the development of water supply and sewage treatment infrastructure for residential, commercial and industrial areas in India. It has also introduced volumetric tariff system for billing water consumption, improved billing, efficient asset management, and enabled non-revenue waterreduction. JICA promotes recycling and reuse of wastewater. It has been continuously working to improve sewerage in rural areas, which face health issues due to inadequate sanitation facilities.
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