Thane mayor and civic chief pull up officials over Kopri STP upkeep

Thane Mayor Sharmila Pimpalolkar and municipal commissioner Saurabh Rao on Tuesday conducted a surprise inspection of the Kopri Sewage Treatment Plant STP and pulled up officials for alleged operational lapses. During the inspection, the Mayor observed that the project is not being operated as per the mandate, the release stated.

Thane Mayor Sharmila Pimpalolkar and municipal commissioner Saurabh Rao on Tuesday conducted a surprise inspection of the Kopri Sewage Treatment Plant (STP) and pulled up officials for alleged operational lapses. According to an official release, the Mayor observed significant shortcomings in the project, which is being implemented on a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) basis. Under the agreement, the contractor was responsible for constructing a Tertiary Treatment Plant (TTP) and a power generation unit using their own capital, in addition to handling operations and maintenance. ''During the inspection, the Mayor observed that the project is not being operated as per the mandate,'' the release stated. While a 5 MLD (million litres per day) capacity tertiary plant and a 500 kW solar power system have been installed, the Mayor noted that the facility was not functioning at its intended capacity. The Mayor has issued a 15-day ultimatum to the administration to submit a comprehensive report on the project's status and directed officials to ensure the plant becomes fully operational immediately.