(a) whether sewage is the leading cause of water pollution in the country; and
(b) if so, the steps taken by the Government to control the problem of sewage indicating the quantum of funds provided for sewage treatment plants during each of the last three years and the current year, State-wise?
MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) FOR ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE (SHRI PRAKASH JAVADEKAR)
(a) Discharge of untreated and partially treated sewage from towns is one of the major sources of water pollution in the country.
(b) 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 & water bodies, thereby polluting them. Ministry of Environment Forest & Climate Change and Ministry of Water Resources, River Development & Ganga Rejuvenation are 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. Various pollution abatement schemes taken-up under the programmes, inter-alia include interception & diversion of raw sewage, construction of sewerage systems, setting up of sewage treatment plants, low cost sanitation facilities, electric/improved wood crematoria and river front development. NRCP & NGRBA programmes presently cover polluted stretches of 42 rivers in 199 towns spread over 21 States at a sanctioned cost of Rs.11083.42 crore. Sewage treatment capacity of 4992 million litres per day (mld) has been created so far under the two programmes, including 583.50 mld created in the last three years & the current financial year.
Details of funds allocated to the States under NRCP & NGRBA programmes for implementation of pollution abatement schemes, including construction of Sewage Treatment Plants, during the last three years and current year, State-wise, 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 of Ministry of Urban Development.