Executive Summary:
This document addresses a question in Lok Sabha regarding the pollution of a Brahmaputra tributary in Boko, Assam. It details the Assam Pollution Control Board's (APCB) and Central Pollution Control Board's (CPCB) findings, water quality monitoring programs, pollution control efforts, and financial assistance for river rejuvenation. The document also outlines measures to prevent industrial waste discharge into rivers and mentions ongoing reviews of restoration efforts.
Key Points / Main Content:
Pollution Assessment and Monitoring:
* The APCB has no specific information on reports of severe pollution in a Brahmaputra tributary in Boko.
* A CPCB report from November 2022 identifies polluted river stretches in Assam, including the Kulsi river, a Brahmaputra tributary in Boko.
* Water quality monitoring is conducted at 239 locations in Assam, including 112 locations on 73 rivers.
* The Kulsi river's water quality at two monitored locations complied with the Primary Water Quality Criteria for Outdoor Bathing in 2024.
* The CPCB, SPCBs, and PCCs established a Water Quality Monitoring Network under the National Water Quality Monitoring Programme (NWMP).
Pollution Control Measures:
* States/UTs and local bodies are primarily responsible for treating domestic wastewater and industrial effluents.
* The Ministry supplements state efforts through the National River Conservation Plan (NRCP) for rivers/tributaries (excluding the Ganga Basin).
* An End-of-Drainage Treatment System based on the Constructed Wetland approach has been implemented in Boko under Swachh Bharat Mission Grameen.
* Boko block is Open Defecation Free (ODF) Plus Model with Solid and Liquid Waste Management facilities.
Financial Assistance:
* Pollution abatement proposals from States/UTs are considered under NRCP based on prioritization and fund availability.
* A proposal for the Rejuvenation and Bioremediation of Silsako Beel Water Body, Guwahati, has been included under PMKSY-HKKP-RRR for central assistance of Rs 213.30 crore in FY 2025-26.
Enforcement and Prevention:
* Measures to prevent industrial effluent discharge include discharge standards, industry categorization, consent processes, inspections, and Online Continuous Effluent Monitoring Systems (OCEMS).
* Industrial units must install Effluent Treatment Plants (ETPs) to meet environmental standards.
* CPCB, SPCBs, and PCCs monitor industries and take action for non-compliance.
* States/UTs must implement action plans for polluted river stretches, with progress reviewed by the Central Government.
Impact Analysis:
State Governments/Union Territories:
* Impact: Primarily responsible for wastewater and effluent treatment and for implementing action plans for polluted river stretches.
* Action Required: Ensure treatment of wastewater and effluents, submit proposals for pollution abatement works under NRCP, and implement action plans for river restoration.
Assam Pollution Control Board (APCB):
* Impact: Responsible for monitoring water quality and providing information on pollution levels.
* Action Required: Continue monitoring water quality, especially in the Kulsi river, and participate in the National Water Quality Monitoring Programme.
Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB):
* Impact: Oversees and supports water quality monitoring and pollution control efforts.
* Action Required: Continue to support SPCBs and PCCs through the NWMP, monitor industries, and take punitive actions for non-compliance.
Industrial Units:
* Impact: Subject to environmental regulations and monitoring regarding effluent discharge.
* Action Required: Install and maintain ETPs to comply with discharge standards and participate in OCEMS.
Local Communities:
* Impact: Affected by water pollution in rivers and tributaries.
* Action Required: Participate in sanitation and waste management programs and support efforts to maintain ODF status.
Key Entities Referenced
Brahmaputra: A major river in Asia that flows through India and Bangladesh; the policy discusses pollution affecting its tributaries.
Boko, Assam: A town in Assam, India, where pollution of a Brahmaputra tributary is reported.
Swachh Bharat Mission: A national campaign by the Government of India to improve sanitation and cleanliness.
Assam Pollution Control Board: The state agency responsible for monitoring and controlling pollution in Assam, India.
Central Pollution Control Board: A statutory organisation under the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change responsible for pollution control in India.
National River Conservation Plan: A scheme by the Ministry of Jal Shakti to supplement states' efforts in river conservation excluding the Ganga Basin.
Environment Protection Act, 1986: An Act of the Parliament of India to protect and improve the environment.
Water Prevention Control of Pollution Act, 1974: An Act of the Parliament of India to prevent and control water pollution.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF JAL SHAKTI
DEPARTMENT OF WATER RESOURCES, RIVER DEVELOPMENT & GANGA REJUVENATION
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3070
ANSWERED ON 07.08.2025
POLLUTION OF BRAHMAPUTRA TRIBUTARY IN BOKO
3070. SHRI GAURAV GOGOI:
Will the Minister of JAL SHAKTI be pleased to state:
(a) whether the Government is aware of the severe pollution affecting a tributary of the Brahmaputra in
Boko, Assam as highlighted in recent reports;
(b) if so, whether any study has been conducted to assess the sources and extent of pollution in the affected
water body and its impact on local communities and ecosystems and if so, the details thereof;
(c) the measures taken/to be taken by the Government under the Swachh Bharat Mission and other relevant
programmes to address water pollution in Assam’s rivers and tributaries, particularly in Boko;
(d) whether any funds have been allocated specifically for cleaning and restoring polluted water bodies in
Assam, if so, the details thereof; and
(e) the steps taken/being taken to strengthen the enforcement of environmental regulations to prevent
industrial, household and agricultural waste from being dumped into rivers in Assam?
ANSWER
THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR JAL SHAKTI
(SHRI RAJ BHUSHAN CHOUDHARY)
(a) & (b) As informed by Assam Pollution Control Board, no specific information is available on any such
report and it has not undertaken any detailed study specifically regarding severe pollution affecting a
tributary in Boko of the Brahmaputra, Assam. As per the Central Pollution Control Board report on
pollution assessment of rivers in the country, published in November, 2022, the details of polluted river
stretches in the State of Assam are as below: -
S. No. River Polluted river stretch/location Max Bod observed(mg/l) Priority Class
1 Bega Along Mangaldoi 3.9 V
2 Bharalu Along Ulubari 76.0 I
3 Burhidihing Along Margherita 3.6 V
4 Dhansiri Along Bokajan and Numaligarh 3.5 V
5 Digboi IOCL Oil Town to Lakhipathar Reserve 5.2 V
Forest
6 Kharsang Along Kharsang 3.3 V
7 Kulsi Along Chaygaon 3.2 V
8 Mora Bharali Along Mora Bharali 3.6 V
9 Pagldia Along Nalbari town 3.4 V
10 Tocklai Along Kumar Kaibarta Gaon 4.8 V
Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) in association with State Pollution Control Boards (SPCBs) and
Pollution Control Committees (PCCs) has established a Water Quality Monitoring Network under the
National Water Quality Monitoring Programme (NWMP). Currently, water quality monitoring is carried out
1at 4736 locations in the country including 2155 locations on 645 rivers. In Assam, the water quality is
monitored at 239 locations including 112 locations on 73 rivers, out of which the Kulsi river which is a
tributary of Brahmaputra River in Boko is monitored by Assam Pollution Control Board at 2 locations viz.
River Kulsi at Chaygaon Near NH37 Crossing and Kukurmara.
As informed by CPCB, the water quality data of Kulsi river monitored at these two locations during
2024 indicates that the Kulsi river is complying with the Primary Water Quality Criteria for Outdoor
Bathing notified by MoEF&CC under Environment (Protection) Amendment Rules, 2000.
(c) It is the primary responsibility of States/Union Territories (UTs) and local bodies to ensure required
treatment of domestic wastewater and industrial effluents, before discharging into recipient water bodies
or land for prevention and control of pollution therein. For conservation of rivers/tributaries in the
country excluding Ganga Basin, this Ministry is supplementing efforts of the States/UTs with the
implementation of National River Conservation Plan (NRCP) on cost sharing basis.
Under Swachh Bharat Mission (Grameen), to mitigate water pollution caused by untreated drainage
discharge into natural water bodies such as rivers, wetlands, and ponds, an End-of-Drainage Treatment
System based on the Constructed Wetland approach has been implemented in Boko and other tributaries
of Brahmaputra to address the growing concern of water pollution. Further, Boko block is Open
Defecation Free (ODF) Plus Model with Solid and Liquid Waste Management facilities in all 138
Villages.
(d) The proposal for pollution abatement works in identified towns along polluted river stretches are
received from the States/UTs from time to time for consideration under NRCP. Proposals are sanctioned
based on their prioritization, conformity with the NRCP guidelines, availability of Plan funds etc. No
proposal has been received under NRCP from Government of Assam. However, a proposal of Govt of
Assam, namely Rejuvenation and Bioremediation of Silsako Beel Water Body, Guwahati, with an
estimated cost of Rs 237 crore has been recently included under PMKSY-HKKP (RRR) for providing
central assistance of Rs 213.30 crore in the FY 2025-26.
(e) Cleaning/rejuvenation of rivers is a continuous and dynamic process. Steps taken by the
Government to stop discharge of industrial effluents into rivers, inter alia include issuance of
notification of specific discharge standards, revision of the criteria for categorization of industries and
issuing directions to all SPCBs/PCCs to adopt the same, issuance of consent to establish /consent to
operate by the SPCBs/PCCs, regular and surprise inspection of Grossly Polluting Industries (GPIs) for
compliance verification against stipulated environmental norms, installation of Online Continuous
Effluent Monitoring Systrom (OCEMS) for assessment of effluent quality and compliance status.
As per the provisions of Environment (Protection) Act, 1986 and Water (Prevention & Control of
Pollution), Act 1974, industrial units are required to install effluent treatment plants (ETPs) and treat
their effluents to comply with stipulated environmental standards before discharging into river and water
bodies. Accordingly, CPCB, State Pollution Control Boards (SPCBs) and Pollution Control Committees
(PCCs) monitor industries with respect to effluent discharge standards and take punitive action for non-
compliance under provisions of these Acts.
Besides, in compliance of the orders of National Green Tribunal in Original Application
No.673/2018 regarding polluted river stretches in the country, States/UTs are required to implement
action plans for restoration of the said stretches in their jurisdiction within the stipulated timelines. The
progress in this regard is reviewed by the Central Government with the concerned States/UTs from time
to time.
*****
2