Parliament Question: Status of STPs, expansion of river cleaning, LiDAR mapping and e-flow compliance

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF JAL SHAKTI DEPARTMENT OF WATER RESOURCES, RIVER DEVELOPMENT & GANGA REJUVENATION RAJYA SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2634 ANSWERED ON 16.03.2026 STATUS OF STPs, EXPANSION OF RIVER CLEANING, LiDAR MAPPING AND E-FLOW COMPLIANCE 2634. # SHRI BRIJ LAL: SHRI BABUBHAI JESANGBHAI DESAI: Will the Minister of Jal Shakti be pleased to state: (a) the present status of 173 Sewage Treatment Plants commissioned under the Namami Gange Programme (NGP), as of January, 2026 and the number likely to be completed during the current financial year; (b) whether the scope of river rejuvenation has been extended to smaller rivers and tributaries such as Kali West and Hindon under ecological flow restoration measures and if so, the details thereof; (c) the manner in which LiDAR mapping of 44,000 sq, km is being used to detect encroachments and discharge points; and (d) whether minimum e-flow norms in river Ganga have been achieved as per CWC verification? ANSWER THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR JAL SHAKTI (SHRI RAJ BHUSHAN CHOUDHARY) (a) Under the Namami Gange Programme, a total of 173 Sewage Treatment Plants (STPs) have been commissioned and are currently operational as on January 2026, while in the meantime 8 more STPs have been completed while 1 more STP is expected to be completed by 31st March. Ongoing projects are closely monitored at multiple levels to ensure timely completion. (b) The mandate of the National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG) is to ensure effective abatement of pollution and rejuvenation of the River Ganga by adopting a river basin approach. The primary focus is to emphasize pollution abatement and conservation of the main stem of the Ganga River and its major tributaries under the Namami Gange Program. In order to expand the scope of river cleaning and adopt a basin-level and holistic approach, NMCG facilitates & supports, the State Governments for rejuvenation of smaller rivers and tributaries within the Ganga basin. In this regard, technical guidance and support are extended to the States, in coordination with concerned departments, for planning and implementation of appropriate rejuvenation measures. Under the Namami Gange Programme, a total of 8 sewerage infrastructure projects have been taken up with a treatment capacity of 280 Million Litres per Day (MLD) for the rejuvenation of Kali West and Hindon rivers. 1(c) Under Namami Gange program advanced survey technologies like LiDAR, UAV and Drone based Surveys etc. have been used for improved river basin management. A Drain Dashboard has been developed to provide authentic videographic visualization and mapping of outfalls on Ganga mainstem. The dashboard provides geo-tagged information and enables state and district-level authorities to monitor pollution sources, prioritze interventions and respond effectively. (d) The Government of India vide Gazette Notification dated 9th October, 2018 notified the minimum environmental flows for River Ganga that needs to be maintained at various locations on the river. As per the notificaiton, monitoring of e-flow is being carried out by Central Water Commission (CWC) since 1st January, 2019. CWC is monitoring 11 projects and submits quarterly progress reports. As per these reports, e-flow compliances have been noticed at most of the projects. In cases of non compliances necessary actions are taken. ***** 2