Sewage fouls Tapi's purity

River Tapi stinks because of release of untreated sewage water into it by many government and other offices. Surat Municipal Corporation (SMC) had found Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL), income tax department, government circuit house and police among those responsible for releasing sewage waters directly into Tapi.Of the 6,411 locations inspected by SMC, at least 1,543 illegal sewage drainage connections were found connected to storm water drainage which pollutes Tapi. Of the 1,543 illegal connections, 190 are of government offices, senior SMC officials told TOI.These details came to light during a study done by SMC in 2012. The survey cost SMC Rs 33 lakh, but the civic body is yet to stop the sewage flow into the river.This has affected the quality of water. The dissolved oxygen is reported 'zero' in Tapi near Ginger Hotel, Sardar Bridge and Ved Road. The biochemical oxygen demand (BOD) level is 315 milligram per litre as against the standard limit of 30 mg per litre. The chemical oxygen demand (COD) level is high in Tapi at Sardar Bridge, Vivekanand Bridge and Singapore areas. It is between 520mg/lt to 800 mg/lt when it should be below 250 mg/lt. "We are working to block the sewage connections to the storm water drainage. We will seal all the illegal connections," deputy engineer and in charge head of drainage department D C Bhagvagar said.When contacted, the income-tax department spokesperson said, "The office is not aware about this. We will have to check it at our end."About Umra police station's sewage connection to storm water drainage, a senior police official said, "I don't have the exact idea about it since it was constructed seven years ago."Offices found releasing sewage into storm water drainage:
Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL), Ghod Dod Road

Income tax department, Majura Gate

S and S S Ghandhy Engineering College, Majura Gate

Umra police station, Athwa Lines,

Railway Reservation Centre, Athwa Gate

State Government Circuit House, Athwa Lines

Navsari Agricultural University, Ghod Dod Road

SMC's pay and use public toilet, Gotalawadi, Athwa Gate, Ved Road

State Bank Of India, Roopam Cinema

Zonewise details of illegal sewage line connections found in storm water drainage

Zones Govt Off Residential commercial Others Total

North Zone 26 39111619552

East Zone4223811011401

West Zone273910884

South West Zone2461276118

Central Zone124510067

South Zone2165211108

South East Zone17124101152

Vesu Zone6151931

New East Zone15120330

Total190990305581543