Pollution load on rivers has increased over the years due to rapid urbanisation and industrialization. Abstraction of water for irrigation, drinking, industrial use, power etc. compounds the challenge. Discharge of untreated wastewater from towns along the rivers constitutes the major source of pollution load in rivers.  According to a recent report of the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), against an estimated sewage generation of about 38254 million litres per day (mld) from the Class I cities & Class II towns of the country, the available treatment capacity is for 11787 mld. 

              Conservation of rivers is a collective effort of Central and State Governments and the Central Government is supplementing the efforts of the State Governments in river conservation through the Central Plans.  Creation of infrastructure for sewage management and disposal is also being undertaken through other Central schemes, such as Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission and Urban Infrastructure Development Scheme for Small and Medium Towns, as well as under state schemes.

The National River Conservation Plan (NRCP) presently covers 39 rivers in 185 towns in 20 states. Pollution abatement works taken up under the Plan include interception and diversion of raw sewage, setting up of Sewage Treatment Plants etc.  A Sewage treatment capacity of 4417 million litres per day (mld) has been created so far under the Plan. Details of funds released state-wise under NRCP till March, 2011 are given at Annexure.

              With the pollution abatement works completed so far, despite significant increase in urbanization, industrialization and growth in population in cities along the banks of river, the water quality in terms of Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD) values for major rivers is reported to have improved as compared to the water quality before taking up pollution abatement works under NRCP, based on independent monitoring undertaken by reputed institutions. 

              The Central Government has constituted the National Ganga River Basin Authority (NGRBA) in February, 2009 as an empowered authority for conservation of the river Ganga by adopting a holistic approach.  A project with World Bank assistance for abatement of pollution of river Ganga at an estimated cost of Rs.7000 crore has been approved in April, 2011.           

Details of funds released state-wise under the National River Conservation Plan

(till March, 2011)

                                                                   (Rs. in crore)

This information was given by the Minister of State for Environment and Forests (independent charge) Shrimati Jayanthi Natarajan in a written reply to a question by Shri Ramashanker Rajbhar in Lok Sabha today.

KP