(a) whether there is high level of water pollution in major rivers of the country leading to increase in water borne diseases and related fatalities;
(b) if so, the steps taken/being taken by the Government to make the rivers pollution free; and
(c) the amount spent in this regard during the last three years?
MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) FOR ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE
(SHRI ANIL MADHAV DAVE)
(a) & (b) Discharge of untreated and partially treated sewage from cities/ towns and industrial effluents constitute a major source of pollution of river. Based on the assessment of water quality over the last five years, the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) has identified 302 polluted stretches on 275 rivers in the country.
State Government/ concerned local bodies are responsible for setting up proper facilities for collection, transportation and treatment of sewage being generated and ensure that untreated sewage does not fall into the rivers thereby polluting them. This Central Government supplements the efforts of the State Governments in abatement of pollution in identified stretches of various rivers under the National River Conservation Plan (NRCP) and National Ganga River Basin Authority (NGRBA) programmes implemented on a cost sharing basis between Central and State Governments. 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 also receive financial assistance for creation of sewage infrastructure, including setting up of sewage treatment plants, in various towns under the Central Sector schemes.
(c)The Central Pollution Control Board has released Rs.3,69,52,936/-, Rs.3,76,90,030/- and Rs. 3,73,83,154/- during financial year 2012-13, 2013-14 and 2015-16 respectively to various State Pollution Control Boards/ Pollution Control Committees for National Water Quality Monitoring Programme. This Ministry has released Rs. 364.24 Crore to various States under National River Conservation Programme during last three years and current financial year for various activities such as interception and diversion of raw sewage, setting up of sewage treatment plants, river front development, etc.
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