In a decisive step towards the rejuvenation of the Ganga and its tributaries, the National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG) approved a series of major infrastructure and development projects worth approximately Rs 900 crore. The decision was taken during the 61st Executive Committee (EC) Meeting of NMCG, chaired by Shri Rajeev Kumar Mital, Director-General of NMCG. According to a statement released by the Ministry of Jal Shakti on April 9, 2025, these projects align with the mission’s overarching goals of enhancing river cleanliness, promoting sustainable development, and preserving the environmental and cultural legacy of the Ganga River. The meeting marked a significant leap in India’s efforts to reduce pollution at the source and ensure the ecological integrity of the sacred river.
Among the key approvals was a comprehensive project in Moradabad, Uttar Pradesh, aimed at preventing pollution in the Ramganga River, a major tributary of the Ganga. The project, with an estimated cost of Rs 409.93 crore, involves the preparation and implementation of a Detailed Project Report (DPR) focusing on the interception, diversion, and establishment of Sewage Treatment Plants (STPs) and allied works in Zone-3 and Zone-4 of the city. The plan includes the construction of modern STPs with capacities of 15 MLD and 65 MLD in Zones 3 and 4 respectively, along with the interception and diversion of five major drains flowing into the river.
Similarly, an initiative was approved for Arrah town in Bihar, estimated at Rs 328.29 crore. This project aims to intercept and divert sewage and includes the construction of a 47 MLD state-of-the-art STP and a 19.5-kilometre-long sewer network. The scheme is based on the Hybrid Annuity Model, which ensures not only infrastructure development but also includes operations and maintenance for the next 15 years. The project is expected to provide a long-term solution to Arrah’s sewage issues and significantly reduce untreated wastewater flowing into the Ganga.
In Kanpur, another critical pollution control project was sanctioned at an estimated cost of Rs 138.11 crore. It targets the interception and diversion of 14 major, previously untapped drains discharging directly into the Ganga River. The plan includes diverting sewage from these drains to treatment plants through newly proposed sewage pumping stations and manholes, thereby giving a major boost to the city’s sanitation infrastructure and preventing direct river contamination.
A nature-based solution for Yamuna River rejuvenation in Delhi was also approved. This initiative focuses on treating liquid pollutants in the Shahdara drain through the installation of pilot CAMUS-SBT (Continuous Advanced Mite Utilising System – Soil-Based Treatment) plants, each with a capacity of 5 MLD. The project aims to bring the water quality of the drain in line with standards prescribed by the National Green Tribunal (NGT), marking a significant innovation in urban river cleaning strategies.
In Pujali Municipality, West Bengal, a project under the Namami Gange programme received approval with an estimated cost of Rs 5.96 crore. The plan includes setting up an 8 KLD Integrated Faecal Sludge Treatment Plant (FSTP) aimed at improving local urban sanitation and reducing pollution levels in nearby water bodies.
To bolster applied research and technological innovation, the Executive Committee approved the establishment of the NMCG-IIT Delhi-Dutch Collaboratory for Intelligent River Systems and Clean Yamuna (IND-RIVERS). Launched under the India-Netherlands Water Partnership, this collaborative centre will bring together the academic expertise of IIT Delhi, the implementation strength of NMCG, and the international knowledge of Dutch water management practices. It aims to build Centres of Excellence focusing on urban rivers, intelligent river systems, and nature-based solutions, delivering practical, action-oriented research to tackle emerging challenges.
Another cultural conservation initiative approved during the meeting involves the study and documentation of traditional wooden boat-making craft, a centuries-old art form practiced along the Ganga basin. This documentation is expected to highlight and preserve the cultural heritage deeply tied to the river’s history.
In another key development, the Executive Committee sanctioned Rs 8.64 crore for transforming DDA Biodiversity Parks into Knowledge cum-Skill Development Centres for the National Mission for Clean Ganga. These parks, with Delhi’s Yamuna Biodiversity Park serving as a knowledge partner, will serve as hubs for community education, ecological restoration, and training in sustainable water and river basin management practices.
These projects, once implemented, are set to advance the mission’s objectives of pollution abatement, sustainable water management, and cultural heritage preservation. They promise not only cleaner rivers and healthier ecosystems but also sustainable development for millions who rely on the Ganga and its tributaries for their livelihoods.
The meeting was attended by key officials including Shri Mahabir Prasad, Joint Secretary and Financial Advisor of the Ministry of Power (additional charge) and River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation, Ministry of Jal Shakti; Shri Nalin Srivastava, Deputy Director General of NMCG; Shri Anoop Kumar Srivastava, Executive Director (Technical); Shri Brijendra Swaroop, Executive Director (Projects); Shri S.P. Vashistha, Executive Director (Administration); Shri Bhaskar Dasgupta, Executive Director (Finance); Ms. Nandini Ghosh, Project Director of West Bengal SPMG; Shri Animesh Kumar Parashar, Managing Director of Bihar BUIDCO; and Shri Prabhash Kumar, Additional Project Director of Uttar Pradesh SMCG.
These comprehensive efforts represent a robust and inspiring move towards making Ganga vibrant, life-giving entity once more.
