Ramky Infrastructure was recognised as the ‘Third Fastest Growing Construction Company under the Medium Category’ at the prestigious 22nd Construction World Global Awards [CWGA] 2024. Y R Nagaraja, Managing Director, speaks about the factors behind this achievement, as well as the challenges involved in India’s largest sewage treatment plant (STP) project and how its sequential batch reactor (SBR) technology reduces the carbon footprint and power consumption. Excerpts: What led to your success at CWGA 2024? We are honoured to be recognised as the ‘Third Fastest Growing Construction Company under the Medium Category’. This achievement underscores Ramky Infrastructure’s dedication to excellence, innovation and sustainable practices. It reflects our unwavering commitment to delivering quality projects on time and within budget while prioritising safety, health and environmental sustainability. From our beginnings in civil and environmental EPC projects, particularly in water and wastewater, we have expanded into roads, buildings, irrigation and industrial construction. Guided by the vision of becoming a global leader in infrastructure development and environmental management, we continuously embrace technological advancements to enhance stakeholder value. This recognition is a milestone, made possible by the hard work and dedication of our talented team. It inspires us to aim higher, drive sustainable growth and set new benchmarks in the industry. The company is pumping in Rs.12.97 bn to set up five STPs as part of the Musi River beautification project and is all set to commission India’s largest STP using SBR technology. What are the challenges involved and what measures have been taken to overcome them? Musi River, flowing through the heart of Hyderabad, has long faced significant pollution challenges. A 2022 study ranked it the 22nd most polluted river globally, with chemical effluent dumping posing risks to the surrounding ecosystem and communities. We view this as an opportunity to contribute meaningfully to restoring the river's health and enhancing sustainable urban ecosystems. Executing a project of this scale requires overcoming operational challenges to optimise land use and integrate it into the existing urban framework. To address this, we have deployed advanced SBR technology in the STPs, which not only minimises the land required for infrastructure but also enhances the efficiency of wastewater treatment. Our approach prioritises thoughtful urban planning and collaboration to ensure smooth execution while respecting the needs of all stakeholders. Our goal is to rehabilitate Musi River while setting a benchmark for sustainable water management. By leveraging innovation and careful planning, we aim to support Hyderabad’s environmental transformation and create a replicable model for similar initiatives nationwide. Please share details of the SBR technology used in India’s largest STP in Nagole, Hyderabad, Telangana State, which reduces the footprint required for setting up the STP and cuts down on power consumption. We take pride in utilising SBR technology, one of the most advanced wastewater treatment solutions available today. This technology stands out as a cost-effective and energy-efficient option, consuming less power while achieving an impressive treatment efficiency of 80 to 90 per cent. The STP in Nagole, Hyderabad, with a capacity of 320 mld, is the largest in the country employing SBR technology. This innovative process treats wastewater in batches through aeration, effectively reducing biological oxygen demand (BOD) and chemical oxygen demand (COD). During this stage, microorganisms metabolise the organic matter in the water. Once the biological treatment is complete, suspended solids and pollutants settle at the bottom of the tank as sludge, which we remove using effective disposal strategies. The treated effluent is carefully decanted, ensuring high-quality outcomes.What sets SBR technology apart is its energy efficiency and substantial savings on power consumption using variable frequency drives (VFD) with dissolved oxygen (DO) based automation. Unlike membrane-based systems, it significantly lowers the carbon footprint of wastewater treatment. Additionally, SBR technology provides more scope for automation and process control, making it superior to traditional treatment methods in both precision and sustainability.