Strengthening the momentum of river rejuvenation efforts, the 18th meeting of the Empowered Task Force (ETF) was held on 30 March 2026 under the chairmanship of the Union Minister for Jal Shakti, Shri C.R. Paatil. The meeting reviewed progress under the National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG) and deliberated on key policy, infrastructure, and coordination issues to further accelerate the Namami Gange Programme.

 

 

The meeting brought together key stakeholders from various ministries and state governments, including Secretary, Department of Water Resources, Shri V.L. Kantha Rao; Secretary, Department of Drinking Water & Sanitation, Shri Ashok K.K Meena; Director General of the National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG) Shri Rajeev Kumar Mital; JS&FA Department of Water Resources Shri Gaurav Masaldan; Shri Nalin Srivastava (Deputy Director General, NMCG); Shri Brijendra Swaroop, Executive Director (Projects), Shri Anup Kumar Srivastava (Executive Director, Technical); Shri Bhaskar Dasgupta (Executive Director, Finance); Ms. Aishwarya Singh Joint Secretary (DDWS), Sh. Anurag Srivastava, ACS UP, Sh. Raj Shekhar, Managing Director UPJN, Sh. Nitesh Jha Secretary (Urban Development, Uttarakhand, Ms. Sonika Meena, Mela Adhikari, Haridwar, Sh. Rohit Meena, Project Director (Uttarakhand), Ms Nandini Ghosh (Project Director, West Bengal SPMG); Sh. Suraj Project Director (Jharkhand); along with senior officers of NMCG and participating states. Meeting was attended by representatives of Ministry of Power, Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs, Ministry of Home Affairs of Government of India.

Expressing satisfaction over the progress achieved, the Minister appreciated the accelerated implementation of projects under the Namami Gange Programme during FY 2025–26. He was informed that 524 projects have been sanctioned so far, of which 355 have been completed. In addition, 17 STP projects have been commissioned during the current financial year across Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand and West Bengal, underscoring improved coordination among stakeholders and sustained momentum in execution.

 

The meeting highlighted key developments in sewerage infrastructure across states, with focused discussions on expeditious submission of DPR and improved inter-agency coordination. The Minister directed states to expedite pending works and ensure seamless implementation of pollution abatement projects to achieve tangible improvements in river water quality.

Emphasis was laid on policy reforms, particularly the safe reuse of treated wastewater. A major push and impetus on this area has been given by Union Minister Jal Shakti Sh. C.R. Paatil in previous ETF meetings. It was brought out that with continued monitoring states of Uttarakhand and Uttar Pradesh have made significant progress by notifying their policies aligned with the national framework after taking approval from state cabinet, while other states such as Bihar and West Bengal are in advanced stages of finalization. The Minister stressed the importance of promoting reuse as a key strategy for sustainable water management.

The meeting also reviewed initiatives related to aquifer mapping, wetland conservation, and aerial drainage mapping, highlighting their role in strengthening scientific planning and integrated river basin management. Progress on identification and conservation of high-priority wetlands in Uttar Pradesh and Bihar was also discussed.

 

A series of key initiatives and activities were highlighted, showcasing the programme’s significant progress and collaborative efforts. These included the inauguration of the Ganga Aqualife Conservation Monitoring Centre, the presentation of success stories in small river rejuvenation across states, and recent technical workshops on glaciers and sludge management, alongside public outreach programmes. Shri C.R. Paatil also lauded the commissioning of multiple Sewage Treatment Plants (STPs) across states, recognizing them as a crucial step in reducing pollution in the Ganga and its tributaries, and appreciated the ongoing ghat cleanliness drives contributing to cleaner and healthier riverfronts.

A presentation by the Government of Uttarakhand on preparations for the upcoming Kumbh 2027 was also showcased, focusing on infrastructure readiness, sanitation arrangements, and river conservation measures to ensure a clean and sustainable event.

 

 

Concluding the meeting, the Minister emphasized the importance of sustained coordination among central ministries, state governments, and implementing agencies. He reiterated that the rejuvenation of the Ganga is a collective responsibility requiring timely action, technological innovation, and community participation. He reaffirmed the Government’s commitment to achieving the vision of a clean, flowing, and sustainable Ganga, calling for continued dedication and convergence of efforts across all stakeholders.

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