Restoring Ganga's Glory: NMCG Approves Rs 692 Crore Projects In UP And Bihar For Sewage Management And Sanitation

The 50th meeting of the Executive Committee of the National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG), chaired by DG, NMCG, G. Asok Kumar, approved seven projects worth Rs 692 crore.

Four of these projects focus on sewage management in Uttar Pradesh and Bihar. So far, the MNCG has sanctioned a total of 452 projects worth approximately Rs 38,126 crore, with 254 projects already completed.

In Uttar Pradesh, the NMCG meeting approved three sewage management projects worth Rs 661.74 crore. These projects include the construction of a 100 Million Litres per Day (MLD) Sewage Treatment Plant (STP) in Lucknow, along with Interception and Diversion (I&D) works under the Hybrid Annuity Mode (HAM).

Additionally, a project worth Rs 186.47 crore for I&D of the remaining discharge of Dariyabad Pipalghat and Dariyabad Kakahraghat drains, and the construction of a 50 MLD STP in Prayagraj, was approved.

This will increase the treatment capacity of Naini STP in Prayagraj's sewerage district-A to 80 MLD. Another smaller project aims to build a six MLD STP, I&D, and other works in Hapur to prevent the flow of city drain into River Kali.

In Bihar, the NMCG meeting granted clearance for two sewage treatment plants (STPs) worth Rs 74.64 crore. These STPs, with capacities of five and seven MLDs, will focus on tapping the Pipra ghat drain and Chhatiya ghat drain, respectively, in Raxual.

The project aims to reduce pollution in the Sirsiya River, which enters Bihar at Raxaul.

A significant step towards effective water management in urban areas was taken with the approval of a project to develop 60-70 Urban River Management Plans (URMPs) in two phases. The project has a budget of Rs 20 crore.

In the first year, a total of 25 Urban River Management Plans (URMPs) will be prepared, followed by 35 URMPs in the second year.

The initial phase of the project will cover 25 cities located in the main stem Ganga basin states, according to a Financial Express report.

These cities include Dehradun, Haridwar, Rishikesh, Haldwani, and Nainital in Uttarakhand; Lucknow, Varanasi, Agra, Saharanpur, and Gorakhpur in Uttar Pradesh; Patna, Darbhanga, Gaya, Purnea, and Katihar in Bihar; Ranchi, Adityapur, Medininagar, Giridih, and Dhanbad in Jharkhand; and Asansol, Durgapur, Siliguri, Nabadwip, and Howrah in West Bengal.

The River-Cities Alliance (RCA) under Namami Gange, funded by the World Bank, is responsible for this project. The RCA started with 30 members in 2021 and has now grown to over 140 members, including international cities.

National Mission for Clean Ganga

National Mission for Clean Ganga(NMCG) is being carried out by the National Council for River Ganga Rejuvenation, Protection, and Management, popularly known as the National Ganga Council.

The mission's objectives for the River Ganga basin rejuvenation include rehabilitating STPs, curbing pollution at exit points, and maintaining water flow without altering natural variations.

The aim is also to restore surface flow and groundwater, regenerate natural vegetation, conserve aquatic and riparian biodiversity, and involve the public in protection and management efforts.

Through these integrated actions, the mission aims to restore Ganga's ecological health, preserve its rich biodiversity, and ensure a sustainable future for all dependent communities.