Question : Cleaning of Ganga

(a) the details of schemes/programmes implemented to clean river Ganga along with their salient features/objectives including the quantum of funds allocated/ released/spent under each of them, so far, since inception;

(b) the extent of pollution in river Ganga before and after implementation of such programmes at various places along with the main sources responsible for its pollution by indicating action taken against offenders;

(c) whether the Government has recently created any Ganga Task Force to check pollution in the said river and make people aware about the same by hiring an army battalion and if so, the details thereof;

(d) whether more battalions are likely to be engaged for the purpose and if so, the details thereof; and

(e) the further measures taken/to be taken to check pollution including discharge of industrial effluents in Ganga and Yamuna and to make them pollution free at the earliest?

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

(a) Cleaning of river Ganga was initiated in 1985 under Ganga Action Plan (GAP). The Phase-I of GAP was launched as a centrally funded scheme in 1985 and later GAP Phase-II was initiated in 1993. Various pollution abatement schemes including interception & diversion of sewage and setting up of sewage treatment plants were taken up under the GAP. Under both phases of GAP, a total of 575 schemes have been sanctioned for undertaking pollution abatement activities in the identified polluted stretches of the river Ganga, of which 524 schemes with a capacity to treat pollution load of 1098 million litres per day (mld) have been established. A total STP capacity of 869 mld and 229 mld has been established under GAP-I and II respectively.
The Central Government set up the ‘National Ganga River Basin Authority’ (NGRBA) in 2009 as an empowered planning, financing, monitoring and coordinating authority for the Ganga River, to ensure effective abatement of pollution and conservation of the river Ganga by adopting a holistic approach with the river basin as the unit of planning. Cabinet approved the Namami Gange program on 13th May, 2015 as a comprehensive approach to rejuvenate the river Ganga and all tributaries under one umbrella.
The total expenditure under the GAP Phase – I & II is Rs. 938.57 crore till 31st March, 2013. Under NGRBA, an additional amount of Rs. 1177.64 crore was spent till 31.03.2015. A sum of Rs. 760.00 crore has been spent till 31.10.2015, out of the allocation of Rs. 2750 crore for 2015-16.

(b) Central Pollution Control Board and its state counterparts, the State Pollution Control Boards monitor the quality of water in the river Ganga at various monitoring locations. The pollution levels in the river did not show desired improvement under GAP. The CPCB has identified 764 grossly polluting industries, 727 of these have been inspected. After inspections, directions were issued to 210 units; including closure of 65 units. 57 of these closed units have since complied with the directions and they have been allowed to operate. 8 units are still closed.

(c) & (d) Yes, Madam. Ministry of Defence, vide its letter dated 12thDecember 2014, has approved raising of 4 Battalions of Composite Eco Task force named as Ganga Task Force in principle. The Ganga Task Force shall be responsible for i) plantation of trees in upper reaches and banks of Ganga, ii) strengthening of pollution monitoring mechanism on the ground, iii) management of public awareness and participation programmes, and (iv) assistance in management of Ghats especially during major congregations.

One regular battalion of Territorial Army has been formed and it has reported in Allahabad and has been trained in plantation, afforestation and preparatory activities.

(e) In addition, the Government is taking strict action against the polluters by imposing penalties and even cancelling the permits of polluting units.

*****