Manesar: Vatika Seven Lamps fined for releasing sewage into vacant plots

GURUGRAM: The Municipal Corporation of Manesar (MCM) has imposed a fine of Rs 1 lakh on Vatika Seven Lamps in Sector 82 for illegally dumping sewage without treating it in violation of environmental norms. The civic body has also warned the developer to ensure proper arrangements for sewage disposal.

Residents of the society have complained that the sewage treatment plant (STP) set up at the society isn’t functioning properly. As a result, sewage is dumped in an adjoining vacant plot on a regular basis or disposed of by unauthorised vendors causing environmental and health hazards, they alleged.

MCM has issued fines amounting to nearly Rs 5.6 lakh to 14 establishments, including several residential societies, hotels and private tankers, for flouting environmental norms, since January this year. MCM executive engineer Praveen Kumar said, “After a complaint from residents, our team visited the society and found untreated sewage being discharged in the open. In addition to this, rainwater harvesting pits in the society are also not being cleaned.”

“The STP installed here is operating under capacity. The maintenance agency, Enviro, is not fully equipped and the staff isn’t trained enough to monitor the parameters of its operations constantly. As a result, they dispose of sewage through private tankers regularly or simply dump it in a vacant plot adjoining the society. This is not only causing pollution but is also a health hazard for residents,” said Suvankar Banerjee, president of Vatika Seven Lamps RWA.

Meanwhile, Lt Col S K Mehta (retd), the vice-president (residential) of Enviro, said: “Seven Lamps has an STP tank of 490 kilolitres per day. With 86% occupancy, the STP tank is yet to attain full capacity. We diligently follow all processes and procedures for maintenance and upkeep of the STP. Regular checks are undertaken. A service book is also being maintained.”