4 Sep, 2012
India Details Projects to Clean Up Polluted Rivers
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03-September, 2012 (Ministry of Environment & Foests) – The following information was given by the Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Environment and Forests, Mrs Jayanthi Natarajan to the Parliament. The Ganga Action Plan (GAP) was launched by the Government in 1985, for pollution abatement activities in identified polluted stretches of river Ganga and later expanded to include other major rivers under National River Conservation Plan (NRCP). NRCP presently covers 40 rivers in 190 towns spread over 20 States, Pollution abatement schemes implemented under the plan include interception, diversion and treatment of sewage; low cost sanitation works on river banks; electric/ improved wood based crematoria, etc. Sewage treatment capacity of 4664 mld (million litres per day) has been created under the Plan. An expenditure of Rs.5343.06 crore has been incurred so far under NRCP, including the National Ganga River Basin Authority (NGRBA) programme, and the river-wise details are listed below. Based on independent monitoring undertaken by reputed institutions, the water quality in terms of BOD (Bio-chemical Oxygen Demand) values for major rivers is reported to have improved as compared to the water quality before taking up pollution abatement works. However, the levels of bacterial contamination in terms of fecal coliform are reported to be exceeding the maximum permissible limit at various monitoring locations. In light of experience gained in implementation of the river action plans since 1985, the river conservation strategy was reviewed by the Government. Accordingly, in February 2009, the NGRBA has been constituted as an empowered, planning, financing, monitoring and coordinating authority with the objective to ensure effective abatement of pollution and conservation of the river Ganga by adopting a holistic river basin approach. External assistance from bilateral/ multilateral agencies is availed of from time to time by the Government for conservation of rivers. Presently, the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) has extended loan assistance of Yen 13.33 billion for Phase-II and Yen 32.571 billion for Phase-III of the ongoing Yamuna Action Plan (YAP) for pollution abatement of the river. JICA is providing loan assistance of 11.184 billion Yen for pollution abatement of the river Ganga at Varanasi. World Bank is also providing loan assistance of US $ 1 billion for abatement of pollution of river Ganga under the NGRBA programme. Conservation of rivers is an ongoing and collective effort of the Central and State Governments and this Ministry is supplementing the efforts of the State Governments in abatement of pollution in rivers under NRCP. Further, the Central Pollution Control Board and respective State Pollution Control Boards monitor industries for compliance with respect to effluents discharge standards and take action for non-compliance under the Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974 and the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986. Details of expenditure under National River Conservation Plan, including National Ganga River Basin Authority programme
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