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Abstract
A strong focus on increasing gross domestic product to meet demanding needs stretched the country on the brink of overstretching the ecological carrying capacity. Unfortunately, rivers are among the worst affected natural resource. The government of India thus initiated the Ganga and Yamuna action plans and spends around 20 billion rupees against this backdrop about a quarter century ago. However, the present status of these rivers is a sad testimony to carry out adequate efforts for pollution abatement. The lack of motivation, knowledge, and proficiency in operation and maintenance among technical personnel is the most crucial reason for poor functioning and underutilization of sewerage facilities. Only 31% population is covered by sewage treatment facility, out of which most of the sewage treatment plants are operating either under or over the design capacity or not in operation at all. The effluent from several plants failed to meet the disposal criteria. Therefore, multi-tier training, development of common curriculum, establishment of dedicated O&M training centers, assessment of training institutions, and preparation of very simplified user-friendly O&M manuals are identified as a plausible solution. Implementation of concept of Built Own and Operate scheme for future policy in India based on Public–Private Participation mode could also be a novel idea.
Acknowledgment
The authors are grateful to Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), New Delhi for providing the valuable data and information on the water quality status and status of STPs in India through their publications and reports, Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) and Ministry of Environment and Forests (MoEF), New Delhi, India for their Capacity Building and O&M on Sewage Works initiatives.