NDMC to set up 5 ETPs at dhobi ghats to recycle water for parks

New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC) to set up five effluent treatment plants (ETPs) at major dhobi ghats in the New Delhi area to recycle wastewater for irrigation of parks and other green areas under its jurisdiction, officials said on Saturday.
The project will be implemented on a Hybrid Annuity and Build and Operate and Transfer (BOT) model, under which private developers will design, build, operate and maintain the plants for five years before handing them over to the civic body, they said.

The civic body manages an area of over 42 sq km with a resident population of around 3.5 lakh and a floating population of nearly 15 lakh.
“The five ETPs will be set up at Dhobi Ghat No. 5 near Pt Pant Marg (20 KLD), Dhobi Ghat No. 4 near Talkatora Road (70 KLD), Dhobi Ghat No. 15 near South Avenue Lane (25 KLD), Hailey Lane near Ugrasen Baoli (35 KLD) and Princess Park Part-II near Bhagwan Das Road (30 KLD),” the tender document read.

The treated water will be used for horticulture and irrigation purposes to help meet the growing water requirement for maintaining parks, lawns and other green spaces in the NDMC area, the officials said. The tender document also stated that the increasing demand for water for irrigation, particularly during summer and winter months, requires sustainable solutions.

It further added that the treated water will meet prescribed environmental standards for parameters such as pH, biological oxygen demand (BOD) and suspended solids. The document also stated that no trees will be cut for the construction of the treatment facility. The design and layout of the facilities will have to be modified, if required, to protect existing trees.

Under the financial model, 50 per cent of the construction cost will be paid after completion of the project, while the remaining amount and operation and maintenance charges will be released annually over the five-year contract period based on performance.

The operators will be liable to pay a penalty ranging from `2,000 to `3,000 per day for failing to supply the required quantity of treated water or for not informing the department in advance about maintenance work.

The tender process has begun, with a pre-bid meeting scheduled for July 2 and the last date for submission of bids fixed for July 17. The selected developer will be required to make the plants operational within six months of the award of the contract.