- The National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG) intends to clean the Ganga River by processing sewage from five main states using sewage treatment plants (STPs) and sewerage networks.
- NMCG has reached 20% sewage treatment capacity in seven years, with a target of 60% by December 2026.
About National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG)
| Objective | Ensure the ecological and geological health of the Ganga River and its tributaries by restoring and rejuvenating them. |
| Formation Year | 2014 |
| Nodal Agency | Ministry of Jal Shakti, Government of India |
| Coverage | Ganga and its major tributaries are included. |
| Key Areas | Pollution management, riverfront development, biodiversity conservation, afforestation, and public awareness are all priorities. |
| Projects | Development of ghats and crematoria, sewage treatment plants, river surface cleaning, and other projects |
| Holistic Approach | Combines numerous government programmes, stakeholders, and public participation |
| Collaborations | Collaboration with state governments, non-governmental organisations (NGOs), international organisations, and the commercial sector |
| Legal Measures | The National Ganga River Basin Authority (NGRBA) was founded to protect the river. |
| Significance | Addresses environmental, social, and cultural issues while guaranteeing long-term water quality |
Capacity for Sewage Treatment Now and in the Future
- Currently, NMCG handles approximately 20% of the sewage generated in the Ganga river basin.
- The capacity for treatment is expected to increase to 33% by 2024 and 60% by December 2026.
- Sewage generation in five states is expected to be 11,765 million litres per day (MLD): Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand, and West Bengal.
The Function of NMCG
- NMCG’s goal is to keep untreated sewage from entering the Ganga River.
- The prediction of 11,765 MLD includes sewage generated within states but not necessarily flowing into the river.
- The NMCG plan calls for the construction of a 7,000 MLD sewage treatment capacity by 2026.
Projects and Development
- STPs and sewage networks account for roughly 80% of the NMCG project.
- By July 2023, functional STPs will have treated 2,665 MLD, with 1,455 MLD added in the previous fiscal year.
- Land acquisition concerns and modifications to Detailed Project Reports caused project delays.
Distribution by State
- Uttarakhand has the most STPs (36), followed by Uttar Pradesh (35) and West Bengal (11).
- Despite the NMCG’s 20,000 crore budget, in-principle clearance has been obtained for 37,396 crore in projects, with 14,745 crore set aside for infrastructure development by June 2023.
Indicators of Good Water Quality
- The water quality in Ganga has now reached the “prescribed limits of notified primary bathing water quality.”
- Nature’s acceptance of river restoration initiatives can be seen in the increased dolphin population (2,000 to 4,000) and the presence of Indian carp in cleaner waterways.
- To effectively communicate water quality standards, NMCG is developing a water quality index comparable to the air quality index.
Source: https://nmcg.nic.in/