In a landmark visit to Surat, Swachh Andhra Corporation Chairman Sri Kommareddy Pattabhiram, along with his team, explored the city’s sanitation practices and the transformation of sewage water into drinking water. He appreciated the Surat Municipal Corporation for its exceptional solid and liquid waste management techniques, emphasizing the need for similar initiatives in Andhra Pradesh under Chief Minister Nara Chandrababu Naidu’s leadership.
Surat’s Waste Management Model
Surat has set a benchmark in sanitation and waste management. Sri Pattabhiram highlighted the city’s advanced sewage treatment plants (STPs) and tertiary treatment facilities that process around 1,076 MLD (million liters per day) of drainage water. Of this, nearly 370 MLD is treated to drinking water standards, while a significant portion is supplied to nearby textile parks and industries.
The corporation has successfully turned waste management into a revenue stream, earning over ₹600 crore by supplying treated water to industries. Such sustainable practices demonstrate the immense potential of waste management when combined with advanced technology and visionary leadership.
A Telugu Officer’s Role in Surat’s Transformation
Sri Pattabhiram credited Telugu IAS officer Ramachandra Rao for Surat’s transformation from a city plagued by sanitation issues and diseases like the plague to one of India’s cleanest urban centers. He expressed pride in the contributions of a fellow Telugu officer, emphasizing the need to replicate such models in Andhra Pradesh.
Relevance to Andhra Pradesh
Drawing parallels, Sri Pattabhiram urged the Andhra Pradesh government to adopt Surat’s model in cities like Tirupati, Rajahmundry, Visakhapatnam, Vijayawada, Nellore, and Kurnool. With the rapid urbanization and population density in these cities, upgrading existing STPs and implementing tertiary treatment plants is essential to address sanitation challenges and ensure sustainable water management.
He also highlighted Swachh Andhra Corporation’s commitment to modernizing sewage treatment under the leadership of Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu, aligning with global best practices.
Vision for Andhra Pradesh
Sri Pattabhiram envisioned a future where Andhra Pradesh not only achieves unparalleled cleanliness but also transforms treated sewage water into a resource for drinking and industrial use. Inspired by successful global practices like Singapore’s NEWater initiative and Surat’s achievements, he emphasized that such models could revolutionize urban sanitation in the state.
