(a) whether the quality of water in the major rivers of the country has deteriorated;
(b) if so, the details thereof, river-wise;
(c) whether the Government has any data on untreated sewage falling into such rivers;and
(d) if so, the details thereof and the action taken by the Government thereon?
MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) FOR ENVIRONMENT AND FORESTS (SHRIMATI JAYANTHI NATARAJAN)
(a) & (b) Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) is monitoring water quality of rivers at 1275
locations covering 445 rivers in terms of Dissolved Oxygen (DO), Bio-chemical Oxygen Demand
(BOD) and Fecal Coliforms. Based on analysis of monitored data, 150 polluted river stretches
have been identified by CPCB. The details of polluted river stretches in various States are at
Annexure.
(c) According to study of CPCB, against an estimated sewage generation of about 38254 million
litres per day (mld) from the Class I cities & Class II towns of the country, the treatment
capacity is available only for 11787 mld.
(d) This Ministry is supplementing the efforts of the State Governments in abatement of
pollution in rivers under the National River Conservation Plan (NRCP) for implementation
of projects on a cost sharing basis between the Central and State Governments. NRCP presently
covers 41 rivers in 191 towns spread over 20 States. Various pollution abatement schemes taken
up under the Plan, inter-alia, include interception and diversion of raw sewage, setting up of
sewage treatment plants, creation of low cost sanitation facilities, setting up of electric/
improved wood crematoria and river front development. In the process, sewage treatment capacity
of 4704 mld has been created.