Cleaning of Polluted Rivers Under NGP

Namami Gange Programme, being implemented by the National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG), is an integrated mission for conservation of river Ganga and its tributaries. It extends to rivers within the Ganga Basin. Presently, under “Namami Gange”, sewerage infrastructure works for pollution abatement is under execution on 13 tributaries of river Ganga, namely, Yamuna, Kosi, Saryu, Ramganga, Kali (West), Kali (East), Gomti, Kharkari, Burhi Gandak, Banka, Damodar, Rispana-Bindal and Chambal.

The Government is aware of the issue with regard to contamination of Rajasthan Canals from Punjab State. The River Beas merges with the River Satluj in Punjab and after confluence, the major part of the flow is diverted through two canals of Rajasthan. The water quality of river Satluj deteriorates due to discharge of untreated/partially treated sewage and industrial effluent from cities and towns of Punjab including Ludhiana, Jalandhar and Phagwara, specially, from Ludhiana through Budha Nala due to inadequate capacity of Common Effluent Treatment Plants (CETPs) & Sewage Treatment Plants (STPs).

It is the responsibility of the State Governments and the Urban Local Bodies concerned to setup facilities for collection, transportation and treatment of sewage being generated and to ensure that untreated sewage does not fall into rivers and water bodies. The Government of India is supplementing the efforts of the State Governments in addressing the challenges of pollution of rivers by providing financial and technical

Assistance. Under National River Conservation Plan (NRCP), for conservation and pollution abatement of rivers Sutluj and Beas, schemes pertaining to interception and diversion of sewage, sewage treatment plants, afforestation, crematoria, etc., have been sanctioned in 14 towns at a cost Rs.717.32 crores in Punjab. Sewage treatment plant of 648.20 Million Litres per Day (MLD) capacity has been created in the State.

Punjab Pollution Control Board (PPCB) is taking action against the industries which are violating effluent discharge norms and enforcement of provisions under Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974 as well as Environment (Protection) Act, 1986.  Local and Urban bodies are responsible for providing adequate infrastructure for treatment of generated sewage and the municipal solid waste generated especially in the catchment of river Satluj within the jurisdiction of Punjab State.

With specific case of poor water quality issue in Rajasthan canal, the State Government of Punjab has taken special projects to abate the pollution in Budha Nala from Ludhiana city. Works are under execution for creation of additional STP capacity of 290 MLD along with rehabilitation of 263 MLD existing STPs.

For treatment of industrial effluent, one CETP of 15 MLD has been completed recently while other 2 STPs of 40 & 50 MLD are under advance stage of completion.

With completion of above works, it is expected to have improvement in water quality of Budha Nala & subsequently river Satluj & Rajasthan canals.

This Information was given by the Minister of State for Jal Shakti & Social Justice and Empowerment, Shri. Rattan Lal Kataria  Rajya  Sabha  today.