Parliament Question: Current status of rivers

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF JAL SHAKTI DEPARTMENT OF WATER RESOURCES, RIVER DEVELOPMENT & GANGA REJUVENATION RAJYA SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2646 ANSWERED ON 16.03.2026 CURRENT STATUS OF RIVERS 2646. SHRI SANT BALBIR SINGH: Will the Minister of Jal Shakti be pleased to state: (a) the number of rivers and streams including both small and large are there in the country, including the State of Punjab; (b) the number of rivers are fully polluted and the main causes of this pollution; (c) the number of rivers are still clean or have been rejuvenated/are being cleaned; and (d) the number of rivers have disappeared or come under illegal encroachments? ANSWER THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR JAL SHAKTI (SHRI RAJ BHUSHAN CHOUDHARY) (a) Based on the satellite imagery (Linear Imaging Self-Scanning Sensor -IV, CARTOSAT-1 and Survey of India toposheets), National Water Informatics Centre has identified a network of 30,395 rivers across the country. However, these numbers may vary based on resolution of satellite imagery and methodology adopted for delineation of river network. Major rivers flowing through the State of Punjab are Sutlej, Beas, Ravi and Ghaggar. (b) As per the report published by Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) in 2025, 296 Polluted River Stretches (PRS) were identified on 271 rivers that includes main rivers and tributaries in the country including Punjab which has two PRSs on Ghaggar and Sutlej rivers, based on monitoring results in terms of Bio-chemical Oxygen Demand (BOD), an indicator of organic pollution. Rivers in the country are polluted and contaminated mainly due to discharge of untreated and partially treated sewage from cities/towns and industrial effluents in their respective catchments. Non- point source of pollution like erosion, transportation and sedimentation of rocks, soils, agriculture runoff and runoff from solid waste dumping sites, etc. also contribute to pollution of river. (c) Cleaning/rejuvenation of rivers is a continuous process. Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), in association with Pollution Control Board/ Committees in different States/ Union Territories (UTs), have been monitoring the water quality of rivers and other water bodies through a network of monitoring stations under the National Water Quality Monitoring Programme. 1Accordingly, CPCB publishes reports on Polluted River Stretches on periodic basis. As per the report published by CPCB in 2025 based on water quality data of 2022 and 2023, 296 polluted stretches were identified on 271 rivers that includes main rivers and tributaries in the country based on monitoring results in terms of Bio-chemical Oxygen Demand (BOD), an indicator of organic pollution. CPCB at present monitors water quality of aquatic resources at 4922 locations across the country which includes 2260 locations on rivers, including main rivers and tributaries. The number of PRSs has decreased from 351 in the year 2018 to 296 in the year 2025. Further, 149 PRSs have been delisted and improvement in water quality of 71 polluted river stretches have been observed in 2025 as compared to the report published in 2018. (d) Since illegal encroachment on rivers, which may be attributed to various factors, is primarily handled by the respective State Governments/UTs, no specific information on these aspects is available with the Ministry of Jal Shakti. As and when such instances come to the notice of the Ministry, the concerned State Governments/UTs are requested to take appropriate action as per the existing rules and regulations. ***** 2