**Policy Summary: Control of Pollution in Rivers**
The Ministry of Jal Shakti is implementing various programs to address river pollution in India, emphasizing the primary responsibility of States, Union Territories, and local bodies in treating sewage and industrial effluents before discharge. Key initiatives include the Namami Gange Program for the rejuvenation of the Ganga and its tributaries, and the National River Conservation Plan (NRCP) for other rivers, aiming to achieve water quality suitable for outdoor bathing.
Under the Namami Gange Program, 212 sewerage infrastructure projects have been undertaken, involving 5220 km of sewer network and a sewage treatment capacity of 6540 million liters per day (MLD). As of the report, 136 projects have been completed, creating or rehabilitating 3781 MLD of sewage treatment capacity. Approximately Rs. 10,500 crore out of a total expenditure of Rs. 20,000 crore under Namami Gange was spent on project implementation in the last 5 years.
The NRCP has covered 57 rivers in 17 states at a cost of Rs. 8970 crore, establishing a total sewage treatment capacity of 2945 MLD in identified towns. Rs. 1677 crore was released under the scheme for project implementation during the last 5 years.
Complementary initiatives, such as the Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation (AMRUT), Smart Cities Mission, and Swachh Bharat Mission Urban, led by the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs, also contribute to improved sewerage infrastructure, sanitation, and water management in urban areas.
According to a 2022 Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) report, polluted river stretches in the country have decreased from 351 in 2018 to 311. 106 river stretches were found to be no longer polluted, and water quality improvement was observed in 74 stretches. Improvement in water quality has been observed in various stretches of the Ganga River, with Dissolved Oxygen levels within acceptable limits. There has been an increase in the population of Dolphins in river Ganga, indicating substantial improvement in the health of the rivers.
The Environment Protection Rules, 1986 mandate the treatment of domestic wastewater before discharge. StatesUTs have prepared action plans, including sewage management, for the restoration of polluted river stretches, following the directions of the National Green Tribunal in OA No.6732018. The implementation of these plans is reviewed at both State and Central levels.
This information was provided by THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR JAL SHAKTI SHRI RAJ BHUSHAN CHOUDHARY in a written reply to a question in Lok Sabha.
Key Entities Referenced
Ministry of Jal Shakti: The Indian government ministry responsible for water resources.
Namami Gange Program: An initiative for rejuvenation, protection, and management of the river Ganga and its tributaries.
National River Conservation Plan: A plan for the conservation of rivers in India to achieve water quality standards.
river Ganga: A major river in India, also known as the Ganges.
CPCB: Central Pollution Control Board, an organization that monitors pollution assessment of rivers in the country.
Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation AMRUT: A mission aimed at creating and augmenting sewerage infrastructure in identified towns, improving water quality of rivers and other water bodies, sanitation systems and water management.
Smart Cities Mission: An urban renewal and retrofitting program by the Indian Government with the mission to develop 100 cities all over the country making them citizen friendly and sustainable.
Swachh Bharat Mission Urban: A mission under the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs, aimed at creating sewerage infrastructure and improving water quality.
Ministry of Jal Shakti
CONTROL OF POLLUTION IN RIVERS
Posted On: 31 JUL 2025 4:23PM by PIB Delhi
It is the primary responsibility of States/Union Territories and local bodies to ensure required treatment of sewage and
industrial effluents, before discharging into recipient water bodies or land for prevention and control of pollution
therein. This Ministry is implementing Namami Gange Program for rejuvenation, protection and management of river
Ganga and its tributaries, and National River Conservation Plan for conservation of other rivers in the country to
achieve water quality of the designated best use for outdoor bathing.
Under Namami Gange Program, a total of 212 sewerage infrastructure projects involving laying of 5220 km of sewer
network and sewage treatment capacity of 6540 million litres per day (MLD) have been taken up. Out of that, 136
projects have been completed resulting creation/rehabilitation of sewage treatment capacity of 3781 MLD. Out of the
total expenditure of around Rs. 20,000 crores under Namami Gange Program so far, during last 5 years around
Rs.10,500 crore were spent towards implementation of various projects.
NRCP has so far covered 57 rivers in 17 States in the country at a cost of Rs.8970 crore, and total sewage
treatment capacity of 2945 MLD has been created in identified towns. An amount of Rs.1677 crore was
released during last 5 years under the scheme for implementation of projects.
The schemes of Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation (AMRUT), Smart Cities Mission and
Swachh Bharat Mission - Urban under the aegis of Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs are also being implemented
which are aimed at creating and/or augmenting sewerage infrastructure in identified towns and thus improving water
quality of rivers and other water bodies, sanitation systems and water management in those towns.
Cleaning/rejuvenation of rivers is a continuous and dynamic process. As per the last report of CPCB of 2022
on pollution assessment of rivers in the country based on water quality monitoring results, polluted river
stretches in the country were reduced to 311 compared to 351 in 2018. Also, 106 river stretches were found
no more polluted and improvement in river water quality was observed in 74 stretches. In case of river Ganga,
improvement has been observed in the various stretches of the Ganga River as per the CPCB report and
Dissolved Oxygen has been found within the acceptable limits and satisfactory to support river ecosystem in
its entire stretch. Also, there has been notable increase in population of Dolphins in river Ganga and its
presence has been noted in new stretches and rivers of Ganga basin, shows substantial improvement in health
of the rivers due to conservation efforts.
The effluent discharge standards stipulated under the Environment (Protection) Rules, 1986 necessitate
treatment of domestic waste water from cities/towns before discharging into surface waters, land or public
sewerage system. As per the directions of National Green Tribunal in OA No.673/2018, States/UTs have
prepared action plans including sewage management in identified cities/towns for restoration of polluted
river stretches in their jurisdiction. Implementation of these action plans is reviewed at State level and also
at the Central level from time to time.
This information was provided by THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR JAL SHAKTI SHRI RAJ BHUSHAN
CHOUDHARY in a written reply to a question in Lok Sabha today.
MAM/SMP
(Lok Sabha US Q1977)
*****(Release ID: 2150733)