COMPREHENSIVE SET OF INTERVENTIONS FOR REJUVENATION OF RIVER GANGA AND ITS TRIBUTARIES UNDER NAMAMI GANGE PROGRAMME
New Delhi, 27th July, 2023
Under Namami Gange Programme, a comprehensive set of interventions such as wastewater treatment, solid waste management, river front management (ghats and crematoria development), e-flow, afforestation, biodiversity conservation and Public Participation etc. have been taken up for rejuvenation of river Ganga and its tributaries. So far, a total of 442 projects have been taken up at an estimated cost of Rs. 37,395.51 Crore, out of which 254 projects have been completed and made operational. Majority of the projects pertain to creation of sewage infrastructure as the untreated domestic/industrial wastewater is the main reason for pollution in the river. 193 sewerage infrastructure projects have been taken up with a cost of Rs. 30,797.24 crore for creation & rehabilitation of 6029.75 Million Litres per Day (MLD) of Sewage Treatment Plant (STP) capacity and laying of around 5,250.98 km sewerage network. Among these, 106 sewerage projects have been completed resulting in creation & rehabilitation of 2664.05 MLD of STP capacity and laying of 4436.26 km sewerage network. In the 15th Conference of Parties (CoP15) at Montreal, Canada in 2022, the United Nations Decade on Ecosystem Restoration has recognized Namami Gange initiative as one of the top 10 World Restoration Flagships.
Namami Gange Programme was launched in June 2014 for a period up to 31st March, 2021 to rejuvenate River Ganga and its tributaries. The programme was subsequently extended up to 31st March, 2026.
The details of release by Government of India to National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG) from FY 2014-15 and in the current year (till 30 June 2023) and funds released/disbursed by NMCG under the Programme during the said period are as under:-
| F.Y. | Release by Government of India to NMCG | Release/ Disbursement by NMCG* |
| (Rupees in crore) | ||
| 2014-15 | 326.00 | 170.99 |
| 2015-16 | 1,632.00 | 602.60 |
| 2016-17 | 1,675.00 | 1,062.81 |
| 2017-18 | 1,423.12 | 1,625.01 |
| 2018-19 | 2,307.50 | 2,626.54 |
| 2019-20 | 1,553.40 | 2,673.09 |
| 2020-21 | 1,300.00 | 1,339.97 |
| 2021-22 | 1,900.00 | 1,900.00 |
| 2022-23 | 2,220.00 | 2,258.98 |
| 2023-24 | 1,180.00 | 605.71 |
| Total | 15,517.02 | 14,865.70 |
The state-wise details of sanctioned projects, their cost allocation and completed projects is enclosed at Annexure.
Sewage: CPCB has estimated sewage generation of 3558 MLD from the 110 ganga front towns in 5 Ganga Basin States (Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand and West Bengal). With the interventions taken up under Namami Gange programme, at present the total treatment capacity along the towns located along main stem of river Ganga increased to 2570 MLD. In addition, approximately 910 MLD sewage is treated through East Kolkata Wetland. Apart from the above, projects for developing 1105 MLD STP capacity in the towns along river Ganga main stem have been taken up which are at different stages of implementation. So at present, more than 90% of treatment capacity available along main stem of river Ganga.
Industrial Effluent: It is obligatory on the part of industries to install effluent treatment plants (ETPs) to comply with the effluent discharge standards as notified under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986 and the Rules framed, thereunder and also to meet the consent conditions granted by State Pollution Control Board (SPCBs) / Pollution Control Committees (PCCs).
As informed by Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), during December 2021-April 2022, 2706 Grossly Polluting Industries (GPIs) having potential to discharge into river Ganga, Yamuna & its tributaries in seven States of Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Bihar, Jharkhand, West Bengal, Delhi and Haryana were inspected, out of which 2198 were found operational and 508 non-operational. Out of 2198 operational GPIs, 541 were found non-complying due to reasons including non-compliance of effluent discharge standards, not having valid consent to operate/Authorization etc. These non-complying GPIs were issued directions including show-cause notices (497) and closure directions (44) by concerned SPCBs/PCC.
Cleaning of river is a continuous process and Government of India is supplementing the efforts of the State Government in addressing the challenges of pollution in river Ganga and its tributaries by providing financial and technical assistance under Namami Gange Programme. The aforementioned projects are in different stages of planning/construction/completion. Close monitoring is being done to ensure timely completion.
This information was given by the Minister of State for Jal Shakti, Shri Bishweswar Tudu in a written reply in Lok Sabha today.
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