NOIDA: The Greater Noida Industrial Development Authority (GNIDA) has levied a penalty of ₹50 lakh on Ajnara Homes in Sector 16B due to a malfunctioning sewage treatment plant (STP) and the discharge of untreated sewage. An additional fine of over ₹4 lakh was imposed for improper solid waste management.
The residential society, consisting of approximately 2,300 flats, generates around 1.15 million litres per day (MLD) of sewage. During inspections, officials discovered that untreated sewage was being funneled into a drain and, following a blockage in that drain, it began flooding the basements of adjacent homes. Residents stated that the STP had been non-operational for the past two years.
GNIDA CEO NG Ravi Kumar instructed the sewerage department to send notices to builder societies, requesting information about their STPs’ installed capacities and functionality. Societies were also queried on whether treated sewage was being reused for irrigation. In instances of non-compliance, on-site inspections would be carried out, and punitive actions initiated.
The action taken against Ajnara Homes is part of this enforcement initiative.
“We requested information from the builder regarding the STP’s operational status, residential capacity, and the reuse of treated sewage. However, no information was provided. A subsequent site visit by a senior manager of the sewerage department confirmed that the STP was entirely non-functional,” stated Sunil Kumar Singh, the additional chief executive officer of GNIDA.
These violations are in breach of directives from the National Green Tribunal (NGT) as well as regulations set forth by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) and Uttar Pradesh Pollution Control Board (UPPCB). Officials also noted that the society had violated regulations by extracting groundwater for irrigation.
In response to these infractions, GNIDA imposed a penalty of ₹50 lakh and mandated the builder to pay the amount within seven working days. The builder must also restore the STP to operational status and ensure that treated sewage is reused for irrigation and other applications, officials stated.
Additionally, GNIDA’s health department imposed a fine of ₹4.32 lakh for inadequate solid waste management practices.
GNIDA has called on builder societies to ensure that sewage is treated using STPs and that the treated water is reused for irrigation and other purposes. According to NGT reports, Noida utilizes 86 MLD of STP water, roughly 33%, while the remaining 178 MLD is released into drains.
