Shopian, Dec 4: The Municipal Council Shopian has initiated work on a faecal sludge treatment plant (FSTP) under the Used Water Management (UWM) component of the Swachh Bharat Mission 2.0, aiming to curb the unsafe disposal of liquid waste in the town.
The project, sanctioned at a cost of Rs 115.56 lakh, includes the design and construction of a 15 KLD (kilolitres per day) treatment facility along with five years of operation and maintenance. Officials say the plant will be the first dedicated system for the scientific treatment of faecal sludge and used water within municipal limits, addressing concerns of water contamination and related public health risks.
The initiative is part of the Union government’s push for improved sanitation under SBM 2.0, especially in towns with populations below one lakh. The UWM component mandates safe collection, transport and treatment of all wastewater — including sewage, septage and grey water — with a focus on reusing treated output.
Small municipalities like Shopian, dependent largely on septic tanks and pit latrines, often face challenges in managing untreated sludge that ends up in open drains and agricultural land. Authorities say the new plant is expected to put an end to this practice by creating a formal collection and treatment mechanism.
The 15 KLD capacity has been planned to meet present requirements with scope for expansion. The proposed technology emphasises energy-efficient, low-maintenance modules in line with SBM 2.0 guidelines, promoting decentralised and climate-resilient sanitation infrastructure.
Officials maintain that the treated waste will meet environmental standards, reducing pathogen levels and safeguarding water sources in the apple-growing region.
Deputy Commissioner Shopian Shishir Gupta termed the project a “transformative step” for the district. “Scientific management of used water is no longer optional. This facility will protect public health and our environment while reducing pressure on natural resources,” he said.
Gupta added that Shopian is moving towards becoming a model town in sanitation under Swachh Bharat Mission 2.0.
Executive Officer Municipal Council Shopian, Suhail Malik, said tenders for the plant were floated on December 1, and the contracting process is underway. The administration, he said, will monitor execution to ensure the project is completed and commissioned at the earliest.
