Question : REVIVAL OF NRCP

(a) whether the Government proposes to revive the National River Conservation Programme; and

(b) if so, the details thereof?

MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) FOR ENVIRONMENT AND FORESTS (SHRIMATI JAYANTHI NATARAJAN)

(a) & (b) The river conservation programme started with the launching of the Ganga Action Plan in 1985 in identified polluted stretches of river Ganga. Ganga Action Plan was later expanded to include other major rivers and the programme was named as the National River Conservation Plan (NRCP). Under the NRCP, pollution abatement schemes pertaining to interception and diversion of raw sewage, sewage treatment plants, low cost sanitation, crematoria, river front development, etc. are being implemented on cost sharing basis between the Central and State Governments in identified polluted stretches of various rivers. NRCP is an ongoing programme and presently covers 42 rivers in 195 towns spread over 20 States at a sanctioned cost of Rs.8904 crore. Till date, sewage treatment capacity of 4788 million litres per day (mld) has been created under the Programme. In the XII Five Year Plan, the Government have provided an allocation of Rs.3700 crore for the river conservation programme, including Rs.2200 crore for river Ganga under the National Ganga River Basin Authority (NGRBA).

In light of experience gained in implementation of the river action plans, the river conservation strategy had been reviewed by the Government. Accordingly, in February, 2009, the NGRBA has been constituted as an empowered, planning, financing, monitoring and coordinating authority with the objective to ensure effective abatement of pollution and conservation of river Ganga by adopting a holistic river basin approach.