NRCP successful in the abatement of water pollution in major rivers

The National River Conservation Action Plan (GAP) Phase-I in the year 1985.Subsequently, GAP Phase-II was initiated which included the tributaries of the river , namely, , and .The Plan was expanded to cover other rivers under National River Conservation Plan (NRCP) in the year 1995.The Plan presently covers 38 rivers in 167 towns spread over 20 states. Pollution abatement schemes undertaken include interception, diversion and treatment of sewage; low cost sanitation works on river banks; electric/improved wood crematoria etc.An expenditure of Rs.3955 has been incurred and Sewage treatment capacity of nearly 4000 million per day () has been created so far.The schemes are implemented on a cost sharing basis between the Centre and State Governments through implementing agencies of the States.

and industrialization.Abstraction of water for irrigation, drinking, industrial use, power etc. compounds the challenge. Based on independent monitoring undertaken by reputed institutions on some of the major rivers under NRCP, the water quality in terms of BOD (Bio-chemical Oxygen Demand) values has improved at most locations as compared to water quality before taking up of pollution abatement schemes.

year-wise are as follows:

The Government has initiated an exercise for revamping the river conservation strategy to promote a holistic and integrated river basin approach. The Central Government has set up the ‘National River Basin Authority’ (NGRBA) on 20.2.2009 as an empowered planning, financing, monitoring and coordinating authority to ensure effective abatement of pollution and conservation of the river by adopting a holistic approach with the river basin as the unit of planning.