BHUBANESWAR: The Project Sanctioning Committee under the Jawharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission (JNNURM) programme on Thursday cleared a Central assistance of Rs. 498.91 crores for development of Integrated Sewerage System in the capital city.

The committee, which met in New Delhi, agreed to make the finance required for the sewerage development available this fiscal. Top officials of Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation (BMC) and Orissa Water Supply and Sewerage Board (OWSSB) were present at the committee's meeting to brief the need for an integrated sewerage system.

The project will help increase sewerage cover from 35 per cent considering the individual house sewer connections to property tax assessments to 70 per cent. The detailed project report for the purpose has been prepared by OWSSB. The total project cost could cross Rs. 700 crores. The State government and BMC would contribute 10 per cent each for the project.

Some of the major components in the project include development of sewers, pumping stations (main, intermediate and lift), a sewerage treatment plant and disposal, renovation and replacement of old sewers and low-cost sanitation. The proposed investment will also take care of the operation and management of the structures.

A detail environment impact assessment will be prepared for the project, which is stated to be completed in phases. The land cost, which could be around Rs. 75 crores, will be borne by the State government.

According to City Development Plan, the underground drainage coverage in the capital city is only 35 per cent. It can be attributed to poor or almost non-functional system of sewage collection and treatment.

The low coverage of sewerage also results in discharge of untreated sewage at several locations through open drains to surface water bodies and open land leading to ground and surface water contamination. The existing antiquated trunk and lateral sewers are not enough to handle sewage load causing choking, manhole and overflowing.

10 major drains

The city has 10 major drains that are aligned from west to east.

The major drains are primarily catchment drains that receive and convey storm water from residential and other habitation areas to Gangua Nullah and onward to Daya River.

The Bindu Sagar beautification project, which was cleared in the earlier meeting, will soon receive Rs. 120.26 crores, sources said.

The total project cost for Bindu Sagar beautification is about Rs. 6.10 crores, of which the Centre is contributing Rs. 4.81 crores.

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