WASTEWATER TREATMENT IN INDONESIA
Posted byIn the course of my studies and my career, I have had the good fortune to travel to many parts of the world, and meet with peoples of various description, different cultural, moral, social and religious backgrounds. Indonesia was one such country I visited way back in the year 1990 in connection with a professional assignment. Vast growth potential of this beautiful and resource rich country has been stifled by a succession of inept Governments and all pervading corruption - a close parallel to the decades long sad story of India. Bali in Indonesia may be eulogised as the "enchanted land" by tour operators : not so the rest of the country where conditions are not far removed from those prevailing in rural India.
WASTEWATER TREATMENT FOR A TEXTILE MILL
IN INDONESIA
I have reasonably good knowledge, skill and experience in design and execution of Wastewater treatment plants for textile mills. In my initial years in Dorr-Oliver, the Surat Voltas . I have harboured a deep rooted hatred for the Reliance group ever since.
Towards the end of my stint with Dorr-Oliver, I was associated with the design and engineering of a Wastewater Treatment and Water Treatment Plant for a major Polynosic Staple Fibre Plant of Tungabhadra Fibres Ltd.,( TUFIL). Tehcnical knowhow, plant and machinery were purchased from Mitsubishi Rayons. Mr. V.P Gohel of Gohel Consultants and Engineers was the consultant to TUFIL.
The Late Mr. V P Gohel was the doyen of the Pulp, paper, rayon and synthetic fibres industry, and a towering figure both in India
It may be that Mr. Gohel had a soft corner for me as a fellow Chemical Engineer : I would like to believe that it was my seminal work in the design of the treatment plant for TUFIL that earned me his respect. During his last assignment abroad for PT Texmaco Jaya, Mr. Gohel invited me to visit Indonesia Jakarta via Singapore
The overnight stay in Singapore
In Jakarta Jakarta
The site of the factory was near a paddy field ( the Indonesian countryside is one big paddy field), with a fair sized irrigation canal running alongside, brimming with water. This was to be the source of water for the factory. I marveled at the engineering genius and far sightedness of the Dutch who ruled Indonesia
The average rural Indonesian is lazy, poor and uneducated, with innocence and ignorance bordering on stupidity. At a Rest stop on the way back from the site, I spied a local who had run out of gas for his rickety motorcycle. He had apparently managed to get a plastic bag full of the fuel from the nearest petrol pump. The plastic pouch was securely tied and knotted with a piece of thread. Unable to unravel the knot, this crazy cur would have immolated himself had we not stopped him in time : he was proceeding to cut the knot open with the burning tip of his cigarette !
The assignment in Indonesia Jakarta Surabaya
To celebrate a job well done, I was treated to dinner one evening by the engineering department of PT Texmaco, in an authentic Sumatran restaurant : All the dishes on the menu of the day were laid out on the table : you chose and ate only from those plates which you fancied, and get billed for the plate. Nasi Goreng with chicken and Nasi Goreng with prawns were the signature dishes of the day, both delicious.
The return journey via Singapore- Chennai and then on to Bangalore
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