Namami Gange Crosses 368 Completed Projects as Centre Targets Tributaries and Wastewater Reuse

India has completed 368 of 527 sanctioned Namami Gange initiatives, deploying clean-up works backed by an overall outlay of ₹43,266 crore as of August 2026. Reviewing progress at the 20th Empowered Task Force meeting, Union Jal Shakti Minister C.R. Paatil directed agencies to clear pending detailed project reports and resolve land acquisition delays holding up remaining works.

Sewerage infrastructure forms the backbone of execution, with 147 completed plants now delivering 4,339 million litres per day in treatment capacity across 4,615 kilometres of sewer lines. Industrial and urban recycling is also gaining statutory support, as Bihar and West Bengal notified policies for the safe reuse of treated wastewater, while Jharkhand prepares to secure cabinet approval.

The clean-up mandate is widening beyond the main Ganga stem to address critical tributaries and urban bottlenecks. Ongoing interventions target heavy pollution along the Yamuna in Delhi and Uttar Pradesh, alongside nature-based restoration at Gomti Udgam Sthal in Pilibhit and recharge works along Bihar's Falgu River.

To build institutional capacity, the Jal Shakti Ministry is partnering with technical universities to integrate river basin governance into higher education curricula. New specialized programs cover urban river hydrology, waterfront planning, and standardized monitoring protocols to identify emerging contaminants like riverine microplastics.