Srinagar, Sep 25: The Jammu and Kashmir government has unveiled a comprehensive plan to revamp the drainage and sewage infrastructure in Sopore town and prevent the direct discharge of untreated effluents into the Jhelum River and Wular Lake, the legislative assembly was informed on Friday.
Replying to a question by MLA Sopore Irshad Rasool Kar regarding drainage and sewage infrastructure, the Housing and Urban Development Department (H&UD) as per Kashmir Convener said two major schemes have been envisaged for Sopore town.
“The ‘Drainage Scheme (DS) Sopore’ is ongoing with an allocation of Rs 497.00 lakh and has achieved approximately 80 per cent physical progress. Additionally, a new ‘Drainage Scheme MC Sopore’ worth Rs 497.00 lakh has been approved for the current financial year 2026-27,” the government said in its reply.
Acknowledging that a large number of drains currently discharge directly into the Jhelum River, the government said several Sewage Treatment Plants (STPs) are in various stages of planning and execution to intercept these flows.
Giving a breakdown of the STP projects, the reply stated that Detailed Project Reports (DPRs) have been prepared for 3.5 MLD and 2.0 MLD plants at Bijbehara and Awantipora, respectively. For Pampore, a 3.5 MLD STP is proposed with a 15 KLD FSTP, and the allotment is currently under process.
While DPRs for 2.5 MLD plants at Sumbal and Hajin are under consideration, a 6 MLD plant at Baramulla is under technical evaluation. A 35 MLD STP for Srinagar is currently sub-judice before the National Green Tribunal (NGT).
The government further informed the House that projects in Ganderbal (4.5 MLD), Bandipora (6.0 MLD), and Watergam (1.5 MLD) are slated for completion by October 2027. Similarly, a 2.5 MLD plant in Budgam and a 15 KLD FSTP in Shopian are also targeted for October 2027. For Sopore, a 9.5 MLD STP will be taken up in Phase-II.
On the specific issue of Wular Lake, the government clarified that there are no identified drains emanating directly from habitations and discharging into the lake as direct outfalls.
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