Rourkela: Concerns are mounting over delays in Rourkela’s sewerage project, with untreated wastewater reportedly flowing directly into rivers and polluting key water sources, including the Koel River. Launched January 9, 2017, the project aimed to ensure proper drainage and effective treatment of wastewater before its release into the Brahmani and Koel rivers. It was envisioned as a major step towards improving public health and restoring the urban environment. However, nearly a decade later, the project remains incomplete. Sources said only about 25 per cent of households in different parts of Rourkela have been connected to the sewerage network so far. Land disputes have also stalled the construction of a sewage treatment plant (STP) in Koelnagar, adding to residents’ woes.
In areas such as Civil Township and Chhend, household sewer connections have become a persistent problem. During the monsoon and even light Kalabaisakhi showers, sewage chambers often overflow, with contaminated water entering residential premises. Residents allege that the continued discharge of untreated wastewater into rivers has defeated the very purpose of the project. The project, originally scheduled for completion in 2024-25, is now expected to be extended further, officials said. Earlier, an STP with a capacity of 40 million litres per day was inaugurated February 16, 2021 at Balughat-Rupatola at an estimated cost of Rs 260 crore. The plan included laying around 185 km of sewer lines and connecting more than 10,000 households.
However, progress on household connections has been slow. As of December 2025, only around 3,000 homes had been linked to the network. The sewerage system is being developed jointly by the Odisha Water Supply and Sewerage Board and WATCO under the AMRUT mission, with an overall investment of about Rs 850 crore.
Work remains incomplete in several areas, including parts of Civil Township, Sectors 1 to 6 and Uditnagar. Koelnagar resident Dillip Das said the existing sewer infrastructure, laid nearly 50 years ago, has deteriorated significantly, leading to frequent overflow of waste and unsanitary conditions. “Replacing pipelines alone will not solve the issue. Authorities must resolve hurdles in constructing the STP in Koelnagar and ensure the Koel river remains clean,” he said. Responding to the concerns, WATCO officer in charge (sewerage board) Tushar Meher said efforts are underway to modernise the sewer network and complete STP construction. Old pipelines have been restored, and awareness campaigns are being conducted to reduce plastic use, he added. He cited underground water pipelines, electrical cables and monsoon disruptions, which halt work for three to four months, as key reasons for the delays.
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