**Policy Summary: Conservation and Purification of Rivers in India**
This document summarizes the Indian government's efforts to conserve and purify rivers, as addressed in Lok Sabha Unstarred Question No. 2993 on August 7, 2025. The primary responsibility for treating sewage and industrial effluents lies with States/Union Territories and local bodies. The Ministry of Jal Shakti implements two key programs: the Namami Gange Programme, focused on the rejuvenation, protection, and management of the Ganga River and its tributaries, and the National River Conservation Plan (NRCP), addressing pollution abatement in other rivers.
Under the Namami Gange Programme, 31 rivers within the Ganga basin are targeted. A total of 212 sewerage infrastructure projects have been sanctioned, involving approximately 5,220 km of sewer network installation and the creation of 6,540 MLD of sewage treatment capacity. As of August 7, 2025, 136 of these projects have been completed, resulting in 3,781 MLD of created and rehabilitated sewage treatment capacity.
The NRCP has covered 57 rivers across 17 states, with a total expenditure of Rs. 4378 crores. This initiative has created a sewage treatment capacity of 2,945 MLD in identified towns.
Furthermore, the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs implements related schemes, including the Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation (AMRUT), Smart Cities Mission, and Swachh Bharat Mission Urban, aimed at augmenting sewerage infrastructure, improving water quality, and enhancing sanitation and water management in urban areas, indirectly contributing to river conservation efforts.
Key Entities Referenced
Ministry of Jal Shakti: The Indian government ministry responsible for water resources and river development.
Namami Gange Programme: An integrated conservation mission approved as a 'Flagship Programme' by the Union Government to accomplish the twin objectives of effective abatement of pollution, conservation and rejuvenation of National River Ganga.
River Ganga: A major river in India, considered sacred and the focus of the Namami Gange Programme.
National River Conservation Plan (NRCP): A central scheme to reduce the pollution load on rivers other than Ganga and its tributaries.
Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation (AMRUT): A scheme aimed at improving urban infrastructure, including sewerage, to enhance water quality.
Smart Cities Mission: An urban renewal and retrofitting program with a mission to develop 100 cities all over the country making them citizen friendly and sustainable.
Swachh Bharat Mission Urban: A mission focused on sanitation and cleanliness in urban areas, impacting water quality.
Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs: The Indian government ministry overseeing urban development and housing, responsible for AMRUT and Smart Cities Mission.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF JAL SHAKTI
DEPARTMENT OF WATER RESOURCES, RIVER DEVELOPMENT & GANGA REJUVENATION
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2993
ANSWERED ON 07.08.2025
CONSERVATION AND PURIFICATION OF RIVERS
2993. SHRI MALVINDER SINGH KANG
Will the Minister of JAL SHAKTI be pleased to state:
(a) whether it is a fact that Government has started a scheme of conserving and purifying major rivers in
the country;
(b) if so, the details thereof indicating the number of rivers taken up under the scheme; and
(c) the present status of the implementation of the said scheme?
ANSWER
THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR JAL SHAKTI
(SHRI RAJ BHUSHAN CHOUDHARY)
(a) to (c) 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.The National River
Conservation Plan (NRCP) is for conservation of rivers & abatement of pollution other than Ganga and
its tributaries in the country.
Under the Namami Gange Programme, a total of 31 rivers in the Ganga basin have been taken up for
pollution abatement. 212 sewerage infrastructure projects have been sanctioned, involving the laying of
approximately 5,220 km of sewer network and the creation of 6,540 million litres per day (MLD) of
sewage treatment capacity. Out of these, 136 projects have been completed, resulting in the creation and
rehabilitation of 3,781 MLD of sewage treatment capacity. NRCP has so far covered 57 rivers in 17
States in the country at a cost of Rs.4378 crores, and total sewage treatment capacity of 2,945 MLD has
been created in identified towns.
Further, 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 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.
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