THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT AND FORESTS (SHRI NAMO NARAIN MEENA)
(a) & (b) The Centrally Sponsored Scheme (CSS) of National River Conservation Plan (NRCP) is under implementation in 160 towns along polluted stretches of 34 rivers spread over 20 States at an approved cost of Rs.4735.42 crore. The CSS of National Lake Conservation Plan(NLCP) launched in 2001 covers 42 lakes in 12 States with an approved cost of Rs.510.41 crore. The works of pollution abatement for all the rivers under NRCP are in various stages of progress in different States. For example, inspite of a phenomenal increase in urban population in cities along the bank of river Ganga, there has been a perceptible improvement in the water quality of river along its stretch with respect to its pre-Ganga Action Plan quality. In this connection, a graphical representation of the change in the Bio-chemical Oxygen Demand (BOD), a key parameter indicating water quality, of the river versus percentage increase in upstream population at different monitoring points over the years is placed at Appendix-I. A total of 1872 million litres per day (mld) of sewage treatment capacity has been created under the NRCP in addition to the 865 mld of treatment capacity created under the first phase of Ganga Action Plan. Regarding the lakes, works in 10 lakes have been completed so far out of 42 lakes taken up for conservation under NLCP. A total of Rs.2051.71 crore has been released under NRCP and Rs.157.03 crore under NLCP to different States so far. The State-wise and programme-wise details are given in Appendix-II.
(c) & (d) The NRCP includes works under the Yamuna Action Plan (YAP) for abatement of pollution of river Yamuna. The first phase of the Plan was completed in 2003 at a cost of Rs.686 crore and 750 mld. of sewage treatment capacity was created under this phase. The implementation of Phase-II has started in December, 2004 with an approved cost of Rs.624 crore. The progress of the YAP is monitored at the Central and State levels through the Steering Committee meetings regularly. There is no proposal at present under the consideration of the Ministry to create a Yamuna Authority.
(e) & (f) The Central Ganga Authority (CGA) was constituted in 1985. However, taking in view the alarming pollution levels in other major rivers of the country, CGA was broad based and renamed as National River Conservation Authority (NRCA) in 1995 to tackle the pollution levels in the major rivers with the objective to improve their water quality. The 50th meeting of the Steering Committee of the NRCA was held in August, 2005. The major decisions taken in the meeting include the stipulation for the State Governments to submit a detailed plan for generation of revenue to facilitate Operation & Maintenance of the assets created under the NRCP and initiation of the process for a tripartite Memorandum of Understanding between the National River Conservation Directorate, the State Governments and the Implementing Agencies concerned for the conservation of rivers & lakes in the States.
