National Green Tribunal (NGT) in its final judgement order in O.A. No. 200/2014 in the matter of M.C. Mehta vs. Union of India for Segment B, Phase I dated 13th July, 2017 (pg. no. 505) stated that the State of Uttar Pradesh (UP), UP Jal Nigam & Uttar Pradesh State Industrial Development Corporation (UPSIDC) with due consultation with Director NMCG and Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) shall submit a complete project report giving time bound program for completion of the project related to augmentation and up-gradation of conveyance drains, Primary Effluent Treatment Plants (PETPs), Common Effluent Treatment Plants (CETPs) and Common Chrome Recovery Plant (CCRP) at Jajmau in Kanpur, Banthar and Site-II in Unnao in a period of six weeks. The work on such project report should start in four months and the project should be complete and made operational in all respects without exception within two years from the date of pronouncement of this judgment.

In the event, the above direction is not carried out in its true spirit, then the tannery industries at Jajmau shall be directed to be shut down and would be shifted to a new industrial site which is fully developed or to be developed having provisions for CETP and Common Chromium Recovery Plant.

NGT in its final judgment order in O.A. No. 200/2014 in the matter of M.C. Mehta vs. Union of India for Segment B, Phase I dated 13th July, 2017 observed that even after spending Rs.7304.64 Cr. upto March, 2017, by the Central Government, State Government and local authorities of the State of UP, the status of river Ganga has not improved in terms of quality or otherwise and it continues to be a serious environmental issue.

The task of cleaning Ganga is undertaken by different authorities under different programme/schemes. NGT vide its order dated 07/07/2017 in the same O.A. had noted that the Central Government and State Government of Uttar Pradesh had released an amount of Rs. 6,691.55 crore, the details of which are given below:

The Government has intensified its efforts for pollution abatement of river Ganga. Cleaning of river Ganga is being carried out through various activities including treatment of municipal sewage, treatment of industrial effluent, river surface cleaning, rural sanitation, afforestation & bio-diversity etc. The municipal sewage being generated in cities on banks of Ganga is being managed by a mix of Interception & Diversion projects, sewerage network and Sewage Treatment Plant (STP) projects. Over 3000 Million Litres Per Day (MLD) of sewage is generated by the towns situated on the main stem of river Ganga. Against this, sewage treatment capacity available is 1580 MLD. National Mission for Clean Ganga has sanctioned projects for creation of additional 1570 MLD capacity and these projects are at various stages of implementation.

This information was given by Union Minister of State for Water Resources, River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation Dr. Satya Pal Singh in a written reply in Lok Sabha today.

SKP/jk