Question : STUDY ON RIVER POLLUTION

(a) whether the Pollution Control Research Institute (PCRI) has carried out a study about increasing pollution in major rivers of the country including Ganga and Yamuna;

(b) if so, the details thereof and the recommendations made by PCRI in this regard;

(c) the action taken/proposed to be taken by the Government to contain pollution in rivers, along with the funds allocated and incurred in this regard, riverwise;

(d) whether Government plans to undertake satellite data monitoring to curb river pollution; and

(e) if so, the details thereof along with the measures taken by the Government to ensure discharge of only duly treated sewage in rivers and the funds allocated for the treatment of sewage flowing into the rivers, river and State-wise?

MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) FOR ENVIRONMENT, FORESTS AND CLIMATE CHANGE (SHRI PRAKASH JAVADEKAR)

(a) & (b) The Pollution Control Research Institute in Hardwar (Uttarakhand) has informed that they have not carried out any comprehensive study on increasing pollution in major rivers of the country, including Ganga and Yamuna.

(c) to (e) It is the responsibility of the State Governments/concerned local bodies to set up proper facilities for collection and treatment of sewage being generated and ensure that untreated sewage does not fall into the rivers, thereby polluting them. This Ministry is supplementing the efforts of the State Governments in abatement of pollution in identified stretches of various rivers under the National River Conservation Plan (NRCP) and NGRBA (National Ganga River Basin Authority) programmes, for implementation of projects on a cost sharing basis between the Central and State Governments.

NRCP and NGRBA programmes presently cover polluted stretches of 42 rivers in 199 towns spread over 21 States at a sanctioned cost of Rs.10716.45 crore. Sewage treatment capacity of 4957.98 million litres per day (mld) has been created so far under the two programmes. State and river wise details of allocation of funds and expenditure incurred are at Annexure.

In addition, State Governments, apart from their own budgetary allocations, are also accessing financial assistance for creation of sewerage infrastructure, including setting up of sewage treatment plants, in various towns under other Central Sector Schemes like JNNURM (Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission) and UIDSSMT (Urban Infrastructure Development Scheme for Small and Medium Towns) of Ministry of Urban Development.

Presently, there is no proposal to use satellite based data to monitor and curb pollution in rivers.