The delay in rectifying the defects of the ₹22.5-crore modern sewage treatment plant (STP) at the Sabarimala Sannidhanam is likely to create unimaginable pollution as well as public health problems during this year’s annual pilgrimage season that starts mid-November.
The Kerala State Pollution Control Board (PCB) has warned of serious pollution problems if the Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB) and the High Power Committee (HPC) for implementation of Sabarimala master plan failed to carry out a time-bound rectification of the defects detected in the functioning of the STP.
Letter
In a recent letter to the HPC Member Secretary, District Environmental Engineer Alexander George clearly stated that the Devaswom Board had not taken any effective steps for the improvement of the existing 5mld STP at Sannidhanam.
Also, no action had been taken for the construction of the proposed 10mld STP at Pampa, Mr. George said.
Analysis of a report
The letter also stated that the pollution status at Sabarimala would not be much different from that of the previous year, if the existing situation continued.
“This amounts to violation of the order dated March 13, 2A-7 of the High Court of Kerala in SSSCR No.7 of 2A17,” the letter said.
The analysis report of the treated sewage samples collected during the joint inspection of the STP by the technical committee of PCB and the TDB officials on May 18 showed presence of coliform bacteria in the outlet, amply indicating the inadequacy of the disinfection system of the STP, the letter said.
Modifications
The PCB district engineer also suggested certain modifications to be made to the STP well before the beginning of the annual pilgrim season when as many as double the State’s population would visit the forest hill shrine in a short span of two months.
PCB recommendations
The PCB recommendations also included construction of separate oil trap system for the Appam and Aravana Plant and rectification of the Ozonation system or provision of an alternate disinfection system.
The pollution watchdog also suggested installation of separate magnetic type flow-meters at both the inlet and outlet points, in compliance with the judgement of the National Green Tribunal, to quantify the waste water inflow and the actual quantity of the sewage treated.
