Question : Pollution in Ganga

(a) whether sewage and industrial waste/ effluents are the major contributory factors to the pollution in river Ganga, and if so, the details thereof and the action plan drawn by the Government to address the issue;

(b) whether the Government plans to engage private bodies under Mission for clean Ganga;

(c) whether National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG) has specified that photography/videography shall be carried out during collection of waste, disposal of waste at river shore and collection of waste by Urban Local Bodies (ULB) for further disposal; and

(d) if so, the details thereof?

Answer given by the minister

THE MINISTER FOR WATER RESOURCES, RIVER DEVELOPMENT AND GANGA REJUVENATION
(SUSHRI UMA BHARTI)

(a) Yes, Madam. According to Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), about 6800 million liters per day (MLD) of wastewater discharge (both sewage and industrial effluents) reaches into the main stem of river Ganga. The industrial effluent accounts for 7.5% (501MLD) of 6800 MLD wastewater discharged into Ganga main stem and 30% of BOD load (131 TPD out of 426 TPD).Thus, 6299 MLD of sewage and sullage generated by the cities/towns located on the Ganga river basin contributes 70% of BOD load (295 Tons per day) into river Ganga. The wastewater reaches river Ganga through 144 drains directly and 13 drains through its tributaries river Kali-East and Ramganga. CPCB has identified 764 grossly polluting industries (GPI) generating 501 MLD of wastewater in Ganga basin covering 5 states (Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Chattisgarh & West Bengal).
Action plan of the Government is to create infrastructure (Sewage Treatment Plants and Common Effluent Treatment Plants) to ensure that untreated waste water is not discharged in Ganga. Additional steps taken by CPCB towards reduction of untreated discharge into Ganga include issuance of directions under Section 5 of EP Act, 1986 to 573 units, 65 units were issued closure directions, issuance of directions under section 5 of EPA to Commissioners/CEOs of Municipalities of 118 towns located along river Ganga for management of Municipal Solid Waste and treatment of sewage. CPCB has issued directions for implementing the water conservation/Zero Liquid Discharge (ZLD) in 5 key industrial sectors namely distillery, pulp & paper, sugar, textile and tannery. To ensure compliance of discharge standards, directions have been issued to GPIs located in five states of Ganga River Basin and discharging effluent into river Ganga for installation of continuous online effluent quality monitoring system. Regular monitoring of the industrial units is being carried out by CPCB for the compliance verification of discharge standards.


(b) The Government has decided the implement waste management in the towns/cities along the river in order to prevent the city drains from discharging into the river Ganga. The Government plans to include STPs under Hybrid Annuity arrangement to ensure effective and regular sewage management. The Government has invited Expression of Interest from innovative technology providers for taking up demonstration projects on insitu treatment of drains discharging into river Ganga. All works are awarded through open tendering. All interested parties, including private bodies, are free to compete in the tender process.


(c) & (d) One of the clause under scope of services of the Notice Inviting Tenders for Solid Waste Management and Environmental monitoring / surveillance of drains requires the referred activities along with pre & post scenario shall be photographed/video graphed (within the area of services) on daily basis and needs to be uploaded on the web through a specific mobile application.

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