Panchkula: In a major push to Panchkula’s sewage treatment infrastructure, five new sewage treatment plants (STPs) will be installed and an existing plant upgraded to meet the needs of the city’s growing population and improve wastewater management.The projects received approvals during a recent review meeting, where it was also decided that the Haryana Shehri Vikas Pradhikaran (HSVP) would provide land free of cost to the Panchkula Metropolitan Development Authority (PMDA) for setting up the proposed facilities.In a significant development, rates for three major projects were approved at the High Powered Works Purchase Committee (HPWPC) meeting chaired by Haryana chief minister Nayab Singh Saini on July 6. These include construction of a 20 MLD STP in Industrial Area Phase I, upgradation of the existing 15 MLD STP in Sector 28 to 30 MLD, and construction of a 10 MLD STP in Sector 29 of the Pinjore-Kalka Urban Complex.Two additional STPs have already received administrative approval but are awaiting transfer of land from HSVP to PMDA before work can begin.A 10 MLD STP in Sector 7, MDC, estimated at Rs 24.60 crore, received administrative approval on Aug 27, 2025. However, transfer of the 2.5acre site required for the project is still pending.Similarly, a 6 MLD STP in Sector 5C, MDC, estimated at Rs 24.33 crore, was also cleared on Aug 27, 2025, but awaits transfer of 1.5 acres of land from HSVP.“Approval is in the final stages. HSVP is completing the demarcation process and we expect possession next week. Tenders for three projects have already been finalised. Work on the remaining projects will begin once possession of land is handed over,” a PMDA official said.Officials said the new facilities will substantially enhance the city’s wastewater treatment capacity, support future urban growth and help prevent untreated sewage from entering natural water bodies.The move comes amid persistent complaints from several parts of the city regarding sewage discharge into choes and other non-designated areas, leakages in sewer lines and instances of storm water pipelines mixing with sewage, causing foul smell and improper wastewater disposal.Recently, a joint inspection by the Chandigarh Pollution Control Committee (CPCC) and the municipal corporation concluded that untreated sewage flowing into a seasonal rivulet near Shivalik Enclave originated from Panchkula and Haryana, and not from Chandigarh. The findings were submitted to the National Green Tribunal in a compliance report.BOX: STPs in the pipeline20 MLD STP – Industrial Area Phase ISector 28 STP – Capacity to be upgraded from 15 MLD to 30 MLD10 MLD STP – Sector 29, Pinjore-Kalka Urban Complex10 MLD STP – Sector 7, MDC (Rs 24.60 crore)6 MLD STP – Sector 5C, MDC (Rs 24.33 crore)Total new capacity planned: 46 MLD, besides the 15 MLD capacity addition at the upgraded Sector 28 plant
