Question : RIVER POLLUTION

(a) the details of most polluted rivers in the country along with their present status and the programme/plan initiated or proposed to be initiated for cleaning them, river-wise;

(b) the funds allocated and spent on cleaning of rivers and the achievements made as a result thereof during each of the last three years and the current year, riverwise;

(c) whether the rivers particularly, those flowing through the major/metropolitan cities have been found to be highly polluted due to discharge of industrial waste and sewage;

(d) if so, the details thereof and the corrective measures taken by the Government for proper treatment of industrial and sewerage waste; and

(e) the steps taken by the Government for prevention of river pollution, protection of river beds and effective enforcement of river conservation regulations?

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

(a) to (e) Discharge of untreated and partially treated industrial and municipal wastewater from cities/towns along the rivers constitute a major source of pollution in rivers. The Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) has identified 150 polluted stretches along various rivers in the country based on BOD (Bio-chemical Oxygen Demand) levels, a key indicator of organic pollution. The details of polluted river stretches in various States is at Annexure-I.

Conservation of rivers is an ongoing and collective effort of the Central and State Governments. 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 & NGRBA programmes presently cover 42 rivers in 199 towns spread over 21 States at a sanctioned cost of Rs. 10716.45 crores. Details of rivers covered under NRCP is at Annexure-II. Various pollution abatement schemes taken up under these programmes, 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 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.

The Central funds are released to the State Governments for implementation of pollution abatement schemes through the implementing agencies functioning under their control. Till date, sewage treatment capacity of 4957.98 million litres per day (mld) has been created under the NRCP & NGRBA programmes. Details of funds allocated by the Ministry and expenditure incurred by the States under the NRCP and NGRBA programmes, during the last three years and current year, State-wise, are at Annexure-III & IV respectively.

To control flow of industrial effluents into the rivers, Central Pollution Control Board and respective State Pollution Control Boards/Pollution Control Committees monitor industries with respect to effluents discharge standards and take action for non-compliance under the Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974 and the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986.