25 sewerage infra projects under NMCG complete : Minister

Speed Post News Network

New Delhi : 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 17,484.97 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, is 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.

The Central Government approved the ‘Namami Gange’ programme on May 13, 2015, as a comprehensive approach to rejuvenate 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 on July 19, 2018, according to a PIB release.