Cleaning of Ganga River

Cleaning of Ganga River

National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG) has sanctioned a total of 105 projects of sewerage infrastructure in Ganga basin states at an estimated cost of Rs.17484.97 crores for river cleaning and Ganga rejuvenation. Out of these, 25 sewerage infrastructure projects have so far been completed resulting into creation of approximately 421 MLD additional STP capacity through construction/ rehabilitation and approximately 2050 KM new sewer lines have been laid. Rest of the projects are under different stages of execution.

The Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) carries out water quality monitoring of river Ganga from Gangotri to West Bengal. Comparison of observed water quality (2017) with bathing water quality criteria indicates that Dissolved Oxygen which is an indicator of river health has been found to be within acceptable limits of notified primary water quality criteria and satisfactory to support the ecosystem of river across all seasons and for almost entire stretch of river Ganga. Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD) is found above acceptable limit in part of stretches downstream of Haridwar to Kannauj, at Kanpur, at Allahabad, at Varanasi; and some stretches in West Bengal (e.g. Bahrampore, Serampore, Palta, Dakhshineswar, Howrah, Garden Reach, Uluberia and Diamond Harbour).

The river water quality monitoring carried out in 2017 indicates improvement in water quality trends as compared to 2016.  The Dissolved Oxygen level are improving at 33 locations and is above the quality requirements of 5 mg/l. Biological Oxygen Demand (BOD) levels are reducing which is an improvement, at 26 locations and coliform bacteria count is reducing which is an improvement, at 30 locations.

Some examples of stretches showing improvements are:

1. Ganga at Rishikesh U/S
2. Ganga at Haridwar D/S
3. Ganga at Allahabad D/S (Sangam),
4. Ganga at Kanpur D/S (Jajmau Pumping Station)
5. Ganga at Varanasi U/S (Assighat)
6. Ganga at Buxar, Ramrekhaghat
7. Ganga at Punpun, Patna
8. Ganga at Diamond Harbour
1. Ganga at Garden Reach
10. Ganga at Baharampur
11. Ganga at Howrah Shivpur

The Central Government approved the 'Namami Gange' program on 13th May, 2015 as a comprehensive approach to rejuvenate the river Ganga and all its tributaries under one umbrella by consolidating the existing ongoing efforts and planning for a concrete action plan for the future. Also, as per the mandate of NMCG, all the projects have a targeted completion by 2020.

This information was given by Union Minister of State for Water Resources, River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation & HRD, Dr. Satya Pal Singh in a written reply in Lok Sabha today.