1,300 km of pipes laid to clean Ganga

National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG) announced total 43 projects 7,944 crore for sewage management in six states- Delhi, Bihar, Jharkhand, Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal by December 2022.

These projects together will treat 2,097.6 million liters per day (MLD) of raw sewage.

Out of these 43 projects, 27 with the sanctioned cost of 4,281 crore, have been completed in the last six months, with a total sewage treatment capacity of 790 MLD (million liters per day), transported by 1,302.9 km of pipe.

These projects will treat the polluted sewage water before it is dumped into the Ganga.

NMCG DG Ashok Kumar said, “NMCG has identified several polluted stretches of Ganga and worked extensively to bring them under Category V.”

The section between Kannauj and Varanasi in Uttar Pradesh, which was in category III in terms of pollution, has been brought to category V (unpolluted category with low pollution). Similarly, the section between Buxar to Bhagalpur in Bihar has become Class II uncontaminated.

To be sure, these projects focus entirely on household waste. A major part of river water pollution comes from the effluents dumped by industrial units like tanneries, distilleries, paper and pulp units. Kumar said effluent treatment plants are being set up in such units and NMCG conducts periodic inspections to ensure that these units are complying with the norms.

Treated water can also be used as an alternative to agricultural activities, serving the twin purpose of earning from treated water and draining less water from the river.

It is also beneficial from the point of view of urban local bodies, who can also earn by selling treated water and use it for maintenance of plants, thereby ensuring sustainability.

“The aim is to generate wealth from the waste,” Kumar said.

NMCG has also launched a flagship program ‘Arth Ganga’ to showcase local products and crafts, promote organic farming and generate employment in the Ganga basin.

Kumar said, “Arth Ganga is a program initiated for public participation and building economics as a bridge to connect people with Ganga.”

The project focuses on zero budget farming and monetization of treated waste water and sludge. Chemical free zero budget natural farming will be done along the length of the river.

“We are using the Govardhan Yojana of the government. Farmers use cow dung at a low cost and reduce pollution in the river by producing coliform. This will help in doubling the income of the farmers and generate ‘more income per drop’.”

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