MINSITER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT AND FORESTS (SHRI BABU LAL MARANDI)
(a) and (b) Phase I of the Ganga Action Plan launched in Varanasi in 1985 has brought
about a qualitative change in the river water quality in terms of measured parameters such
as summer average values of Biochemical Oxygen demand (BOD) and Dissolved Oxygen levels (DO).
The increase in dissolved oxygen levels and reduction in biochemical oxygen demand levels are
as follows:
(In Milligram/litre) 1986 1999
Dissolved Oxygen Varanasi Upstream 5.6 8.2 Varanasi Downstream 5.9 8.4
Biochemical Oxygen Demand Varanasi Upstream 10.1 2.2 Varanasi Downstream 10.6 3.7
The technological design under Ganga Action Plan Phase - I provided only for an incidental reduction in the levels of microbial pollution.
(c) The details of the amounts granted annually by the Government for the creation and maintenance of assets under Ganga Action Plan in Varanasi are at Annexure-I. Out of the total sum of Rs.67.60 crores released so far, Rs.42.92 crores have been released by the Government of India and Rs.24.68 crores by the State Government of Uttar Pradesh.
(d)&(e) Ganga Action Plan and the National River Conservation Plan are reviewed regularly at
various levels. There is a National River Conservation Authority under the Prime Minister
which reviews the Programme. A Monitoring Committee under the Member, Planning Commission
and a Steering Committee under Secretary Ministry of Environment and Forests review the
Programme quarterly. In addition, a mid-term evaluation of the Ganga Action Plan Phase-I
was undertaken jointly by the Aligarh Muslim University, Roorkee University, Indian Institute
of Technology, Kanpur and the All India Institute of Hygiene and Public Health, Calcutta.
The evaluation report has concluded that with the reduction of discharge of organic matter,
a necessary first step in restoring the water quality has been achieved to a fair level under
the Ganga Action Plan phase-I. It is also mentioned that the Ganga Action Plan phase-I as
conceived and implemented is an appropriate programme for application to other river basins.
Some shortcomings of the programme were also brought out in the evaluation report and have
been taken note of for suitable modification in the subsequent river action plans. These
include reduction of discharge of organic matter, local conditions to be given adequate
consideration in the choice of sewage treatment technology, regular cleaning of sewage and
interception structures constructed under the Ganga Action Plan phase-I, regular training for
the staff posted at all levels, resource recovery options to be analysed etc.
A cost benefit analysis of the Ganga Action Plan phase-I was also undertaken by a
reputed expert from Harvard Institute of International Development in collaboration with
local Indian institutes viz. Institute of Economic Growth, New Delhi, Indian Toxicology
Research Centre, Lucknow and All India Institute of Hygiene and Public Health, Calcutta.
The study broadly concluded that in spite of its many shortcomings the Ganga Action Plan
phase-I has delivered significant benefits to India. The polluted stretch of the river
violating the bathing class standards would have been at least 740 kms. Between Kannauj
and Varanasi as compared to 437 kms. between the same towns with the Ganga Action Plan
phase-I. In terms of both cost and time taken, the Ganga Action Plan phase-I compares
favourably with those of the other major rivers of the world. The study has concluded
that the internal rate of return of the Ganga Action Plan phase-I is well above 10% required
of public sector projects.
There is no proposal, at present, under the consideration of the Government for
constitution for a committee to review the working of the Ganga Purification Programme.
Annxure-I
Details of Funds Released for Ganga Action Plan Works for Varanasi
Year Funds Released (In Rs. Lakhs)
1985-86 29.300 1986-87 291.000 1987-88 521.285 1988-89 490.360 1989-90 1104.140 1990-91 811.075 1991-92 444.200 1992-93 352.840 1993-94 561.000 1994-95 426.620 1995-96 371.210 1996-97 353.000 1997-98 329.500 1998-99 271.200 1999-2000 403.000
Total 6759.730
Out of the above, Rs.4291.840 lakhs have been released by Government of India and
rest by State Government.
