Shillong, Oct 2: On the occasion of Swachh Bharat Diwas, a new milestone in India’s sanitation infrastructure was achieved with the inauguration of the Faecal Sludge Treatment Plant at Bomfyle Road, Shillong. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, through a virtual ceremony, unveiled the facility as part of a series of key projects across the nation aimed at advancing public health and environmental sustainability.

The new plant, developed under the AMRUT (Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation) initiative by the Shillong Municipal Board, marks a transformative moment for Shillong’s waste management systems. By integrating cutting-edge technology, the plant is set to address the city’s growing sanitation needs, significantly improving the efficiency of faecal sludge and wastewater treatment.

Timed to coincide with the 155th birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi, the inauguration also symbolized the enduring relevance of his principles of cleanliness and public welfare, central to the Swachh Bharat mission. At the Shillong plant site, a parallel event was held where the Prime Minister’s virtual address was streamed live. Dr. M. Ampareen Lyngdoh, the Minister of Health and Family Welfare, attended the event as the guest of honor, emphasizing the critical role this facility will play in advancing Shillong’s urban sanitation efforts.

The facility incorporates advanced mechanisms for the treatment of faecal sludge, utilizing high-speed centrifuges to process organic pollutants efficiently. A key feature is the sludge dewatering system, which reduces waste volume prior to disposal, making the entire process more sustainable and safer for the environment. This technological upgrade enhances Shillong’s capacity to manage its waste while addressing environmental concerns.

Following the event, Dr. Lyngdoh took to social media to express her thoughts, stating, “It was a privilege to witness the virtual inauguration of the Faecal Sludge and Septage Management Plant in Shillong by Prime Minister Modi on this significant occasion of Swachh Bharat Diwas, and in commemoration of the 155th birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi.”

The plant is projected to serve around 1 lakh households, with a daily treatment capacity of 350 kiloliters of septage and wastewater. This addition to the city’s infrastructure will play a pivotal role in maintaining cleaner urban environments and improving overall public health outcomes.

In a separate but related initiative, the event also celebrated the contributions of Shillong’s sanitation workers. A total of 18 sanitation workers were honored for their service and were awarded Janata Personal Accident Insurance policies worth Rs 2 lakhs each, a gesture organized by the National Insurance Company Ltd. This recognition highlighted the essential, often overlooked work done by those ensuring the city remains clean and sanitary.

Worker safety and dignity were also key themes of the plant’s design. The new facility incorporates fully mechanized processes, eliminating the need for manual handling of faecal sludge. This innovation not only improves the safety of sanitation workers but also elevates their working conditions, aligning with the Swachh Bharat mission’s goal of creating a healthier, more respectful working environment.

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