GMDA Warns STP Defaulters of Disconnection

GURUGRAM: The Gurugram Metropolitan Development Authority has warned that sewage connections of defaulting societies and colonies will be disconnected if non-functional sewage treatment plants are not made operational within the stipulated period, after imposing about Rs 14 crore in penalties in north Gurugram and recovering only Rs 4 crore so far.

GMDA Chief Executive Officer P.C. Meena issued the warning on Thursday while chairing a coordination meeting attended by senior officials of the National Highways Authority of India, Gurugram Metropolitan Rail Limited, HSIIDC, the municipal corporations of Gurugram and Manesar, the district administration, HSVP, the Haryana State Pollution Control Board and power utilities.

Meena said the pollution control board would continue to penalise non-compliant group housing societies, licensed colonies and commercial establishments, after which GMDA would move to disconnect their sewage lines. The meeting reviewed the status of STPs, the quality of treated wastewater and cases in which sewage from some residential complexes was allegedly discharged on roads during the monsoon.

HSPCB officials told the meeting that STPs were mandatory at 175 premises in north Gurugram and 179 in south Gurugram. Of these, 33 in the north and eight in the south had non-operational plants. Notices have been issued to the defaulters along with penalties.

Meena directed that developers with outstanding penalty dues be denied consent or permission for their other projects until the dues are cleared. GMDA will soon meet resident welfare associations and developers to explain statutory STP requirements and warn them of disconnection and further regulatory action if non-compliance continues.

The CEO also ordered surprise inspections at 15 premises. GMDA Executive Engineers Ishan, Vibhor and Vikram will conduct the inspections with HSPCB officials. Samples of treated wastewater will be collected and tested, with reports submitted directly to the CEO. STP performance will also be ranked on biochemical oxygen demand to identify plants that need corrective action.

Meena directed regular testing of treated water from GMDA-operated STPs and said agencies responsible for operation and maintenance would face blacklisting if even one sample failed prescribed standards. HSPCB officials said treated water from GMDA plants is currently tested twice a month. Meena directed that all future test reports be sent directly to him.

For housing societies in the northern belt, the message is operational: plants must treat sewage to standard, penalties must be cleared, and paper STPs will not be enough once disconnection notices begin. Residents have complained for years about untreated sewage overflowing onto sector roads during heavy rain, contaminating storm drains and creating foul stretches near underpasses.

Builders with multiple licensed projects in the city face a linked compliance risk if unpaid STP penalties block clearances elsewhere. RWAs that took over incomplete plants after possession will need to budget for repairs, chemicals and skilled operators. GMDA said the next round of meetings with associations would set timelines before disconnection is enforced.

Societies that share a common STP across towers will need clearer operator contracts so that one defaulting block does not drag neighbours into disconnection. HSPCB and GMDA said joint surprise checks will continue until the list of non-operational plants shrinks. Treated-water reuse for gardening and flushing remains encouraged where plants meet BOD norms.