LUCKNOW, Dec. 7 -- A major leak in the 1600 mm inlet pipeline of the 50 MLD sewage treatment plant (STP) at Loniya Purwa has forced the entire facility to remain shut since June 19, 2025, severely disrupting sewage management in the area. Despite multiple written reminders over several months from the Uttar Pradesh Jal Nigam (Rural), repairs had not commenced. This led Lucknow municipal commissioner Gaurav Kumar to step in on Saturday and direct that the work be started immediately.

During a detailed inspection, Kumar found that the inlet pipeline and its adjoining chamber, installed by the UP Jal Nigam (Urban), have been experiencing heavy leakage for months. Officials informed him that the issue had not only brought the plant's operati...