Cleaning and rejuvenation of rivers is a continuous process. It is the primary responsibility of the States/Union Territories (UTs) and local bodies to ensure proper treatment of sewage and industrial effluents to the prescribed norms before discharge into rivers, other water bodies, coastal waters or land.

As per the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) report on ‘Polluted River Stretches for Restoration of Water Quality’ through National Water Monitoring Program (NWMP), based on assessment of water quality carried out in 2022 & 2023 i.e 5 different locations/ stretches from Tirunelveli Downstream Side (D/S) To Kallidai - Kurichi, Tirunelveli on the Thamirabarani River, the Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD) levels was ranging between 4.0 mg/L to 6.2 mg/L, placing the river stretch under Priority-IV category.

As per inputs received from CPCB, based on sampling taken at 9 locations in Tirunelveli District in 2024 through SPCB, the BOD level is ranging from 2.0mg/L to 3.1mg/L which is showing decrease in BOD levels, which means, an improvement in water quality.

 

Under National River Conservation Plan (NRCP), one Sewage Treatment Plant (STP) of capacity 24.20 million litres per day (MLD) was set up between 2001 – 2007 at Tirunelveli with a cost of Rs 54.93 crore, for pollution abatement river Thamirabarani. Atal Bhujal Yojana is not implemented in Thamirabarani river basin. During the last 05 years several groundwater recharge works have been undertaken by the State Government under MGNREGS Scheme in the Districts falling under Thamirabarani River Basin. Funds under JJM are not maintained Basin wise. 

 

The annual run-off pattern depends on the rainfall pattern and the climatic conditions of a particular region. As per the Central Water Commission, the annual average run-off of the Thamirabarani River at the Murappanadu site in Tamil Nadu is 22 million Cubic Metres (MCM) for the period 2014-15 to 2024-25. However, the majority values of the actual run-off vary around this average.

 

The Tirunelveli Municipal Corporation has informed that Tamil Nadu Government have formulated proposals for setting up of STPs, Solid Waste Management, Biological Parks, etc. to contain pollution in Thamirabarani River and River Rejuvenation work is also monitored through River Rejuvenation Committee at State level. 

Central Pollution Control Boards/SPCB/Pollution Control Committee monitors river water quality and industries to ensure compliance of the provisions of Environment Protection Act,1986 and Water (Prevention & Control of Pollution) Act,1974. Central Water Commission monitors hydrological parameters of the river through three Hydrological Observatories in Thamirabarani River.

 

The information was provided by THE MINISTER OF JAL SHAKTI SHRI C R PATIL in a written reply to a question in Lok Sabha today.

 

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ND

(Lok Sabha S Q80)

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