Executive Summary:
This document, a response to Lok Sabha Starred Question No. 267 answered on 07.08.2025, addresses polluted river stretches (PRS) in India. It references Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) reports from 2009 to 2022, detailing the identification, monitoring, and management of PRS. The document also outlines measures for data accuracy and transparency in water quality monitoring.
Key Points / Main Content:
Polluted River Stretches (PRS) Identification and Status:
* CPCB has been identifying PRS since 2009, publishing reports in 2009, 2015, 2018, and 2022.
* The November 2022 report identified 311 PRS on 279 rivers across 30 States/Union Territories, based on Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD) levels.
* The number of PRSs decreased from 351 in 2018 to 311 in 2022; 106 PRSs were delisted, and water quality improved in 74 stretches compared to 2018.
* State-wise river pollution status, including Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh, is available online.
Water Quality Monitoring Mechanisms:
* Existing mechanisms, including manual sampling (NWMP) and Real-Time Water Quality Monitoring Stations (RTWQMS), are crucial for tracking and managing river pollution.
* CPCB uses water quality data from NWMP for PRS identification and action plan preparation.
Monitoring Network and Locations:
* CPCB, with State Pollution Control Boards (SPCBs) and Pollution Control Committees (PCCs), established the National Water Quality Monitoring Network (NWMP).
* CPCB monitors water quality at 4736 locations nationwide, including 2155 locations on 645 rivers.
* Madhya Pradesh monitors at 254 locations (160 on 51 rivers), and Maharashtra at 252 locations (156 on 57 rivers).
Data Accuracy and Transparency:
* Water samples are analyzed per MoEFCC guidelines (2017) for surface and groundwater parameters.
* Testing is conducted in NABL-accredited labs.
* CPCB annually audits monitoring locations via its Regional Directorates.
* State Board labs participate in CPCB's Analytical Quality Control (AQC).
* Water quality data is available on the CPCB website.
Impact Analysis:
Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB):
Impact: Accountable for the identification, monitoring, and reporting of PRS, along with ensuring data accuracy and conducting audits.
Action Required: Continue monitoring PRS, conduct audits, ensure data transparency and accuracy, and collaborate with SPCBs and PCCs.
State Pollution Control Boards (SPCBs) and Pollution Control Committees (PCCs):
Impact: Responsible for collaborating with CPCB in establishing and maintaining the National Water Quality Monitoring Network (NWMP) and monitoring water quality within their respective states/UTs.
Action Required: Collaborate with CPCB in monitoring water quality, participate in AQC, and implement action plans for polluted stretches.
Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC):
Impact: Sets guidelines for water quality monitoring.
Action Required: Ensure the adoption and implementation of the "Guidelines for Water Quality Monitoring, 2017".
National Accreditation Board for Testing and Calibration Laboratories (NABL):
Impact: Responsible for accrediting laboratories to ensure the accuracy of water sample testing.
Action Required: Maintain accreditation standards for labs involved in water quality testing.
General Public:
Impact: Affected by the quality of river water and the effectiveness of pollution control measures.
Action Required: Access water quality data on the CPCB website.
Key Entities Referenced
Central Pollution Control Board CPCB: A statutory organisation under the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change responsible for monitoring and regulating pollution in India. Plays a key role in identifying and reporting on Polluted River Stretches (PRSs).
Polluted River Stretches PRS: Refers to segments of rivers identified as polluted based on water quality monitoring, particularly Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD) levels. CPCB publishes periodic reports on these stretches.
Maharashtra: A state in India where polluted river stretches are monitored by the Maharashtra Pollution Control Board (MPCB).
Madhya Pradesh: A state in India where polluted river stretches are monitored by the Madhya Pradesh Pollution Control Board (MPPCB).
National Water Quality Monitoring Programme NWMP: A program for manual sampling to assess water quality and identify Polluted River Stretches (PRS) across the country.
Ganga Basin: The drainage basin of the Ganga River. Real-Time Water Quality Monitoring Stations (RTWQMS) are used in the Ganga Basin to track and manage river water pollution.
Maharashtra Pollution Control Board MPCB: The state pollution control board in Maharashtra responsible for monitoring water quality and controlling pollution in the state's water bodies.
Madhya Pradesh Pollution Control Board MPPCB: The state pollution control board in Madhya Pradesh responsible for monitoring water quality and controlling pollution in the state's water bodies.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF JAL SHAKTI
DEPARTMENT OF WATER RESOURCES, RIVER DEVELOPMENT & GANGA REJUVENATION
LOK SABHA
STARRED QUESTION NO. *267
ANSWERED ON 07.08.2025
POLLUTED RIVER STRETCHES
†*267. SHRI BHAUSAHEB RAJARAM WAKCHAURE
SMT. BHARTI PARDHI
Will the Minister of JAL SHAKTI be pleased to state:
(a) the updated list of “polluted river stretches” identified by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB)
for 2024–25;
(b) the number of the polluted stretches identified earlier, State-wise, particularly in Maharashtra and
Madhya Pradesh which have shown significant improvement and the number of
new stretches added to the said list;
(c) the extent to which the existing water quality monitoring mechanisms including real-time monitoring
stations and manual sampling have proved effective;
(d) whether there are adequate monitoring stations, particularly in sensitive industrial and urban areas;
(e) if so, the details thereof, State-wise, particularly in Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh; and
(f) the steps taken/being taken to strengthen the surveillance network and ensure accuracy and
transparency of data?
ANSWER
THE MINISTER OF JAL SHAKTI
(SHRI C R PAATIL)
(a) to (f) : A statement is laid on the Table of the House.
1STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PARTS (a) TO (f) OF STARRED QUESTION NO.
*267 TO BE ANSWERED ON 07.08.2025 IN LOK SABHA REGARDING “POLLUTED RIVER
STRETCHES”
(a) & (b) Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) initiated the exercise of identifying Polluted River
Stretches (PRS) in the country since 2009 based on the river water quality monitored during the past years
on periodic basis. So far, CPCB has published 4 such periodic reports in the year 2009, 2015, 2018 and
2022.
As per the latest information available on the PRS report published by the Central Pollution Control
Board (CPCB) in November 2022, 311 polluted river stretches were identified on 279 rivers in 30
States/Union Territories based on monitoring results in terms of Bio-Chemical Oxygen Demand (BOD), as
an indicator of organic pollution.
The number of PRSs has decreased from 351 identified in the year 2018 to 311 in the year 2022.
Further, 106 PRSs have been delisted and improvement in water quality of 74 polluted river stretches have
been observed in 2022 as compared to the report published in 2018. The state-wise status of river pollution
throughout the country, including Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh is available at:
https://cpcb.nic.in/openpdffile.php?id=UmVwb3J0RmlsZXMvMTQ5NF8xNjcxNzc3ODg2X21lZGlhcGhv
dG8xODc0Ni5wZGY=
(c) The existing water quality monitoring mechanisms, comprising both manual sampling under the
National Water Quality Monitoring Programme (NWMP) and Real-Time Water Quality Monitoring
Stations (RTWQMS) in Ganga Basin have played a significant role in tracking and managing river water
pollution across the country. As per the CPCB, water quality data is obtained from the manual water quality
monitoring carried out under NWMP and it is utilized for identification of PRS. Further, these stations help
us in assessing the polluted river stretches and preparation of action plans for these stretches.
(d) & (e) CPCB in collaboration with State Pollution Control Boards (SPCBs) in the States, and Pollution
Control Committees (PCCs) in Union Territories has established a National Water Quality Monitoring
Network (NWMP) in order to regularly assess status of water quality of water resources to facilitate
prevention and control of pollution in water bodies. CPCB at present monitors water quality of aquatic
resources at 4736 locations across the country which includes 2155 locations on 645 rivers. Madhya
Pradesh Pollution Control Board (MPPCB) monitors water quality of aquatic resources at 254 locations
which includes 160 locations on 51 rivers and Maharashtra Pollution Control Board (MPCB) monitors water
quality of aquatic resources at 252 locations which includes 156 locations on 57 rivers.
2(f) In order to ensure transparency and accuracy of data the following measures are taken:
Water samples are analyzed for Surface water & groundwater parameters as per Guidelines for
Water Quality Monitoring, 2017 issued by Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate
Change (MoEF&CC).
Water samples are tested in National Accreditation Board for Testing and Calibration
Laboratories (NABL) accredited labs to ensure accuracy.
Auditing of monitoring locations under NWMP is annually carried out by CPCB through its
Regional Directorates.
State Board laboratories participate in the Analytical Quality Control (AQC) carried out by
CPCB for proficiency testing.
The water quality data is posted on CPCB website at https://cpcb.nic.in/nwmp-data/ .
*****
3