Rs900 annual sewerage tax for STP likely

Nagpur: Residents of Wadi may soon have to bear an additional financial burden to support the operation and maintenance of the proposed underground sewerage system, reports Proshun Chakraborty. The Detailed Project Report (DPR) for the Wadi Underground Sewerage Scheme proposes an annual sewerage tax of Rs900 per property to ensure the project's long-term sustainability.According to the DPR, while the capital cost of the project is largely funded through govt grants under the Maharashtra Suvarna Jayanti Nagrotthan Maha-Abhiyan, the recurring expenses for operating and maintaining the sewerage network and sewage treatment plant will have to be recovered locally.The report suggests that operation and maintenance (O&M) costs can be met through a combination of sewerage charges, one-time connection fees and property tax collections.Officials argue that a user-charge mechanism is essential to maintain treatment facilities, STP, and ensure uninterrupted sewage management services.The proposal is likely to spark debate among residents, especially as the project itself is yet to be completed despite missing its original 2025 deadline.