Sewerage schemes, faecal sludge plants, biodiversity parks, and research centres approved to advance clean river mission

In a significant step towards restoring the ecological health of the Ganga and its tributaries, the 61st Executive Committee (EC) meeting of the National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG), chaired by Director-General Shri Rajeev Kumar Mital, has sanctioned a series of ambitious projects focused on river conservation, pollution control, and community engagement. These decisions represent a major thrust under the Government of India’s flagship ‘Namami Gange’ programme, aligned with broader goals of sustainable development and environmental protection.

Among the major approvals was the greenlighting of sewerage infrastructure projects worth over Rs 900 crore. Notably, Moradabad in Uttar Pradesh will benefit from an extensive pollution-prevention scheme along the Ramganga River, with two sewage treatment plants (STPs) of 15 MLD and 65 MLD capacity planned in Zone-3 and Zone-4, respectively. The Rs 409.93 crore project will also intercept and divert five major drains currently flowing untreated into the river.

In Bihar, Arrah town is set to receive a state-of-the-art STP of 47 MLD capacity, coupled with a 19.5 km sewer network, at an estimated cost of Rs 328.29 crore. Implemented under the Hybrid Annuity Model, the project includes a 15-year operation and maintenance component. It aims to provide a lasting solution to Arrah’s sewage management while reducing untreated discharge into the Ganga.

Kanpur, a historically industrial city in Uttar Pradesh, will also benefit from a Rs 138.11 crore initiative that targets the interception and diversion of 14 major drains. Sewage currently entering the river directly will be redirected to treatment plants via proposed pumping stations and manholes, enhancing the city’s drainage and sanitation framework.

In West Bengal’s Pujali Municipality, a Rs 5.96 crore Integrated Faecal Sludge Treatment Plant (FSTP) of 8 KLD capacity has been approved to improve urban sanitation and contribute to the protection of local water sources.

A major innovation-led project was also sanctioned for Delhi, focusing on the rejuvenation of the Yamuna. A pilot installation of CAMUS-SBT (Continuous Advanced Mite Utilising System – Soil-Based Treatment) plants will be undertaken at the Shahdara drain, with each plant capable of treating up to 5 MLD of liquid waste. This nature-based solution aims to bring treated water quality up to National Green Tribunal (NGT) standards.

Further boosting research and international cooperation, the EC approved the establishment of the NMCG-IIT Delhi-Dutch Collaboratory for Intelligent River Systems and Clean Yamuna (IND-RIVERS). This tri-partite initiative, part of the India-Netherlands Water Strategic Partnership, brings together government, academia, and international expertise to develop Centres of Excellence focused on urban river systems and nature-based solutions.

To preserve the cultural legacy of the river basin, the EC has approved a project to study and document the traditional wooden boat-making craft that has thrived for centuries in the Ganga basin.

In a move to promote education and environmental awareness, the committee also sanctioned a project worth Rs 8.64 crore to develop DDA Biodiversity Parks — including the Yamuna Biodiversity Park in Delhi — as Knowledge cum-Skill Development Centres under the NMCG. These centres will serve as hubs for environmental training, ecological research, and public engagement.

These wide-ranging initiatives signal a renewed and coordinated effort to not only improve the health of India’s rivers but also foster sustainable livelihoods, cultural heritage, and community-led conservation. By addressing pollution at its source and promoting scientific innovation, the NMCG aims to turn the tide for the Ganga and its tributaries, ensuring they continue to sustain millions of lives for generations to come.

The meeting was attended by senior officials from the Ministry of Jal Shakti and partner organisations, including Mahabir Prasad (Joint Secretary and Financial Advisor), Nalin Srivastava (Deputy Director General, NMCG), and executive directors from the technical, project, finance, and administrative wings of NMCG, along with senior project leads from West Bengal, Bihar, and Uttar Pradesh.