Bidanasi Wastewater Treatment Plant, Cuttack, Odisha, India

Bidanasi is a wastewater treatment plant currently under construction in Cuttack, a major city in the Indian state of Odisha. Located in the Cuttack (M. Corp. ) P. S area, the plant is designed to serve a population of about 240,523 people, making it a significant infrastructure project for the region's urban wastewater management. As a plant under construction, its treatment process and capacity details are not yet finalized. In India, wastewater treatment plants of this scale typically operate under the regulatory framework of the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) and state pollution control boards, which mandate secondary or tertiary treatment depending on the receiving water body's sensitivity. The plant's design capacity, once operational, will likely align with national standards for large agglomerations. The plant will discharge treated wastewater into the local drainage system, which ultimately flows into the Mahanadi River. The Mahanadi is a major river in eastern India, supporting diverse aquatic life and providing water for agriculture and drinking. Proper treatment at Bidanasi will help reduce pollution loads in the river, protecting downstream ecosystems and communities.

The plant is located in the Mahanadi River basin, one of India's largest river systems. The Mahanadi flows into the Bay of Bengal, supporting a rich estuarine ecosystem and important fisheries. Downstream of Cuttack, the river passes through agricultural areas and wetlands that rely on clean water for irrigation and biodiversity. Effective wastewater treatment at Bidanasi is crucial to prevent nutrient and pathogen pollution in this ecologically sensitive river system.