A tripartite Concession Agreement was signed today at the NMCG office between the National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG), the Uttar Pradesh Jal Nigam, and M/s Vishvaraj Environment Private Limited (VEPL) for the development of Sewage Treatment Plants (STPs) for Agra under the Hybrid Annuity Mode (HAM) on August 25th, 2022. The contract was awarded for a total of Rs. 582.84 crores.
To reduce pollution in the Yamuna River through a basin-approach, the NMCG approved a project for the construction of Sewage Treatment Plants (STPs) with a total capacity of 177.6 MLD, as well as other works such as developing Interception & Diversion (I&D) structures, I&D network laying, sewage pumping stations with 15-year operation and maintenance, and so on.
This project aims to address Agra's existing sewerage issues, which pollute the Yamuna River. After the project is completed, there will be no discharge of untreated sewage from Agra into the River Yamuna, reducing pollution load in the river.
G. Asok Kumar, Director General, NMCG, expressed his delight at the completion of the contract award process and stated that this project will be implemented under a Hybrid Annuity based PPP model and will ensure that the STPs are operated and maintained in accordance with stringent performance requirements.
"This project will be another milestone in achieving the goal of preventing any untreated waste water from entering the River Yamuna, which is a major tributary of the River Ganga," Kumar added.
Raj Kumar Sharma, Superintending Engineer, UP Jal Nigam, Satyajeet Raut, Authorized Signatory, M/s. Vishvaraj Environment Private Limited, and Binod Kumar, Director (Projects), NMCG signed the Concession Agreement. During the signing ceremony, Himansu Badoni, Executive Director (Projects), NMCG, and Arun Lakhani, CMD, VEPL were also present, along with other state agency and concessionaire representatives.
"VEPL has always been involved in projects related to sustainability and the environment," Lakhani said. We are all aware of the social and health consequences of the sewage treatment project. This is a significant project for VEPL that will contribute to the Clean Ganga Mission. With the help of UP Jal Nigam and NMCG, we hope to complete the project on time."
