Parliament Question: Impact of real-time sensor-based water quality monitoring system

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF JAL SHAKTI DEPARTMENT OF WATER RESOURCES, RIVER DEVELOPMENT & GANGA REJUVENATION RAJYA SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2626 ANSWERED ON 16.03.2026 IMPACT OF REAL-TIME SENSOR-BASED WATER QUALITY MONITORING SYSTEM 2626. # Smt. DARSHANA SINGH: Will the Minister of Jal Shakti be pleased to state: (a) whether Government has implemented a real-time sensor-based system to monitor the quality of rivers and drinking water sources; (b) if so, the number and locations of such stations installed especially under Namami Gange Programme; (c) whether the data received from these stations has been linked to a public dashboard; and (d) the mechanism prescribed for prompt corrective action in case of deterioration in water quality? ANSWER THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR JAL SHAKTI (SHRI RAJ BHUSHAN CHOUDHARY) (a) to (c) The monitoring of river water quality is undertaken by Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), in association with Pollution Control Board/Committees in different States/Union Territories (UTs), who 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. Under Jal Jeevan Mission, as per existing guidelines, the Bureau of Indian Standards’ BIS:10500 standards are adopted as benchmark for quality of water being supplied through the piped water supply schemes. Under the Jal Jeevan Mission, to enable States/UTs to test water samples for water quality and for sample collection, reporting, monitoring and surveillance of drinking water, an online JJM – Water Quality Management Information System (JJM WQMIS) portal has been developed. The State–wise details of water quality test reported through WQMIS are available in public domain and can be accessed at: https://ejalshakti.gov.in/WQMIS/Main/report CPCB has issued directions to all Grossly Polluting Industries (GPIs) to install Online Continuous Effluent Monitoring System (OCEMS) with real time data connectivity to CPCB/SPCBs for self monitoring. Similary STPs under Namami Gange Program have been equipped with OCEMS and the data is visible on public portal : https://www.gangapulse.in/public/ CPCB with financial assistance from Namami Gange Programme, has set up a network of 40 Real- Time Water Quality Monitoring (RTWQM) Stations on River Ganga and its tributaries. This implementation is a set up on pilot basis for Research & Development purpose, to gain first-hand experience 1and test the reliability on RTWQM system. The performance of each station can be viewed on real time basis through the following weblink: https://rtwqmsdb1.cpcb.gov.in/#/ (d) Cleaning/rejuvenation of rivers is a continuous process. It is the primary responsibility of the States/UTs and local bodies to ensure required treatment of sewage and industrial effluents to the prescribed norms before discharging into water bodies or land to prevent and control of pollution therein. For conservation of rivers, this Ministry has been supplementing efforts of the States/UTs by providing financial and technical assistance for abatement of pollution in identified stretches of rivers in the country through the Central Sector Scheme of Namami Gange for rivers in Ganga basin, and Centrally Sponsored Scheme of National River Conservation Plan (NRCP) for other river basins. In compliance of various orders/directions given by NGT in OA No. 673/2018 from time to time, States and UTs concerned are implementing Action Plans approved by CPCB for rejuvenation/restoration of these polluted river stretches. Each State/UT has also set-up River Rejuvenation Committee (RRC) for preparing and implementing the Action Plans. In addition, Central Monitoring Committee (CMC) under the Chairmanship of Secretary, D/o WR, RD&GR, Ministry of Jal Shakti has been constituted. CMC meetings are held on a regular basis, wherein implementation of action plans formulated by the States/UTs concerned and approved by CPCB are reviewed. ***** 2