The Indian government has announced a substantial investment of Rs 32,456 crore towards improving the country’s sewage infrastructure. This funding, outlined in a recent statement by the Minister of State for Housing and Urban Affairs, marks a decisive step in addressing India’s pressing sewage management challenges.
The update provided to the Rajya Sabha underscores the government’s ongoing commitment to bolstering urban sanitation systems. It highlights the critical role of Urban Local Bodies (ULBs) in managing sanitation responsibilities, which are primarily overseen by state governments. The Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA) plays an essential role in supporting these local bodies through financial backing for infrastructure projects, including the development of sewage treatment plants (STPs) under various flagship missions. As per the National Green Tribunal’s (NGT) directive dated 18 May 2023, and revised on 22 May 2023, India has a total of 1,261 STPs with a cumulative treatment capacity of 30,001 million litres per day (MLD). However, current utilisation stands at only 56% of this capacity for municipal sewage treatment. Notably, Andhra Pradesh demonstrates a higher efficiency, with 91% of its STP capacity in active use.
The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) has enforced rigorous discharge standards for STPs, with the latest regulations updated in October 2017. These standards govern various parameters, including pH levels, biochemical oxygen demand, total suspended solids, and faecal coliform counts, ensuring the treated sewage meets environmental safety criteria. Under the Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation (AMRUT) and its successor, AMRUT 2.0, substantial investments have been directed towards enhancing sewerage infrastructure. The AMRUT scheme has already channelled Rs 32,456 crore into sewerage and septage projects, leading to the completion of 214 STPs with a total capacity of 4,174 MLD and the installation of approximately 18,000 km of sewerage networks.
Launched on 1 October 2021, AMRUT 2.0 continues these efforts with a strategic five-year plan extending until 2025-26. To date, Rs 62,935.90 crore has been approved for projects under this initiative, aimed at expanding sewage treatment capacity by 5,791.94 MLD and extending sewerage networks by 29,105 km. This comprehensive investment reflects a strategic approach to upgrading India’s sewage infrastructure, reinforcing the government’s dedication to improving urban sanitation and environmental sustainability.
