Wants 3-year extension for Infosys Foundation to run the facility; staff training to take over operations

Mysuru: The Mysuru City Corporation (MCC) has formally requested the Infosys Foundation to continue operating the Hebbal Lake Sewage Treatment Plant (STP) for another two to three years, citing a lack of technical expertise and resources to take over its management.

The civic body has also asked the Foundation to provide hands-on training to MCC staff in operating and maintaining the plant.

The advanced STP, located near the Infosys campus in Hebbal Industrial Area, was established by the Infosys Foundation under its CSR initiative at a cost of around Rs. 30 crore to help revive the heavily polluted Hebbal Lake. The lake had been contaminated by industrial effluents and sewage.

The plant currently treats around 8 million litres per day (MLD) of sewage and releases about 4 MLD of treated water into the lake. The facility uses Germany’s Membrane Bio-Reactor (MBR) technology, the first of its kind in Karnataka, to produce high-quality treated water.

Apart from setting up the STP, the Infosys Foundation has spent nearly Rs. 107 crore on desilting, beautification and the overall rejuvenation of Hebbal Lake. Under an agreement with the MCC, the Foundation has been managing the plant for the past three years.

With the agreement now having expired, the MCC has sought an extension, acknowledging that it does not currently have the skilled personnel required to independently operate the technically advanced facility.

Residents seek continuation

Residents have also urged the civic body to allow the Infosys Foundation to continue managing the plant, expressing concern that its functioning could suffer if the MCC takes over without adequate expertise and resources.

They said the treated water being released into the lake benefits surrounding industrial and residential areas. At the same time, residents have complained that untreated sewage and industrial chemical waste continue to enter the lake through stormwater drains, resulting in foul odour.

They fear that any disruption in the operation of the STP could aggravate the situation.

MCC’s stand

MCC Commissioner M.K. Savitha told Star of Mysore that the agreement with the Infosys Foundation had expired, but the Corporation had requested an extension of two to three years.

“Infosys Foundation has managed the plant very well so far. But at present, the Corporation lacks the expertise and resources to take over. Moreover, residents oppose handing over management to us. Until we mobilise the required funds and train our staff, we have requested Infosys Foundation to continue,” she said.

The MCC is also considering auctioning the treated water released from the plant to generate revenue. The proposal will be discussed with the Urban Development Minister and the Chief Minister.

More sewage lines  to be connected

The plant currently receives about 8 MLD of sewage a day. Works are being taken up to connect additional sewage lines that are presently not linked to the STP, following directions of the National Green Tribunal (NGT).

Once the additional lines are connected, the volume of sewage reaching the plant is expected to increase. The MCC has therefore sought the continued involvement of the Infosys Foundation until it is able to build the necessary technical capacity and resources to take over the plant.

Operating the Hebbal Lake STP will cost lakhs of rupees every day. We are preparing to request the Government to provide a special grant to the MCC for this purpose. Until the MCC makes systematic preparations to take over the plant, it should continue to be managed by the Infosys Foundation for at least another two to three years. During this period, MCC staff appointed for the purpose should also be trained in operating the plant. We have formally requested the Infosys Foundation to extend expertise.

— M.K. Savitha, Commissioner, Mysuru City Corporation