Siliguri's River Dream: The ₹361 Cr. Cleanup

Siliguri’s inclusion in the Government of India’s Urban River Management Plan (URMP) marks a significant milestone in the city’s efforts to restore and protect its river systems.

Under a formal agreement between the West Bengal government and the Union government, key rivers such as the Mahananda, Fuleswari, Jorapani, and Sahu will be taken up for systematic cleaning and rejuvenation. As part of this initiative, the city’s Sewage Treatment Plant (STP)-III and the Faecal Sludge Treatment Plant (FSTP) are scheduled to be inaugurated by February 2026.

The Kolkata Metropolitan Development Authority (KMDA) is implementing three STP projects—STP-III at Fulbari has already been completed, construction of STP-II is being fast-tracked, and the site for the third plant has been finalised. The overall project cost is estimated at ₹361 crore, with tenders for the remaining works expected to be issued by March.

To ensure timely execution, a dedicated state-level committee has been constituted to monitor and accelerate progress. Mayor Gautam Deb described the development as a major achievement, stating that inclusion in the URMP would play a crucial role in rejuvenating Siliguri’s rivers and ensuring their long-term cleanliness once the STP projects are fully operational.

News by Rahul Yelligetti.