News: Baliawas Residents Oppose STP Pipeline to Aravalli Waterhole-18-03-2026
Residents of Baliawas, which borders Sectors 56-58 in Gurugram, on Tuesday objected to a sewerage treatment plant (STP) pipeline that they allege is being laid without authorisation along a natural wildlife waterhole in the Aravalli Range.
They said the 600-metre line from a nearby micro-STP, built under the Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation (Amrut) yojana, would discharge treated wastewater into a water body on protected Forest Department land visited by nilgai, jackal, hyena and several bird species. Residents said the plant, built in 2022, has remained defunct.
Vishal Singh, a resident and wildlife activist, said the area is linked to the Asola Bhatti Wildlife Sanctuary and already has a waterhole the Forest Department fills with safe drinking water. Treated discharge may still contain residual pollutants, he warned. Lilu Ram, a resident of over three decades, feared wastewater could flow downhill in the rains. Sanjay Kumar of Ghata alleged contractors began laying pipes about four days ago, late at night.
Ruchika Sethi Takkar, founder of Citizens for Clean Air Bharat, said such sensitive areas should not be repurposed for discharge.
A senior MCG official, asking not to be named, said the plant will process one million litres per day once operational. The certificate to operate (CTO) is in process and environmental compliances have been obtained, the official said.
Raj Kumar, divisional forest officer (DFO), said a status report has been sought, a vigilance squad was sent and no forest clearances were obtained.
