Many stretches of rivers in the country are polluted due to discharge of untreated and partially treated domestic sewage from cities/towns and industrial effluents in their respective catchments, problems in operation and maintenance of sewage and industrial effluent treatment plants, lack of dilution and other non-point sources of pollution. Rapid urbanization and industrialization have compounded the problem. As per the report published by Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) in March, 2021, sewage generation from urban areas in the country is estimated at 72,368 million litres per day (MLD), against which sewage treatment capacity of 31,841 MLD was available. State/UT wise details of quantum of sewage generated and installed treatment capacity is at Annexure.

As per the seventh schedule of Constitution of India (Article 246), ‘Water’ is a State subject, and it is the responsibility of the States/UTs to ensure the cleanliness and development of rivers within their jurisdiction. Cleaning of rivers is a continuous process and Government of India is supplementing the efforts of the State/UT Governments in addressing the challenges of pollution of rivers by providing financial and technical assistance. The assistance is provided to State/UT Governments for abatement of pollution in identified stretches of various rivers (excluding river Ganga and its tributaries) under the Centrally Sponsored Scheme of National River Conservation Plan (NRCP) on cost sharing basis between the Central and State/UT Governments for taking up various pollution abatement works relating to interception & diversion of raw sewage, construction of sewerage system, setting up sewage treatment plant (STP), low cost sanitation, river front/bathing ghat development, etc.

NRCP has so far covered polluted stretches on 36 rivers in 80 towns spread over 16 States in the country with the project sanctioned cost of Rs. 6248.16 crore, and inter alia, a sewage treatment capacity of 2745.7 million liters per day (mld) has been created, resulting in reduction in pollution load being discharged in to the various rivers. Under Namami Gange program, 406 projects, including 176 projects for sewage treatment of 5270 MLD and a sewer network of 5214 km, have been sanctioned at a cost of Rs.32898 crore against which sewerage treatment capacity of 1858 MLD has been created so far.

In addition to this, sewerage infrastructure is created under programs like Atal Mission for Rejuvenation & Urban Transformation (AMRUT) and Smart Cities Mission of Ministry of Housing & Urban Affairs.

As per the provisions of Environment (Protection) Act, 1986 and Water (Prevention & Control of Pollution), Act 1974, industrial units and local bodies are required to install effluent treatment plants (ETPs)/ common effluent treatment plants (CETPs) and Sewage treatment plants (STPs) and treat their effluent/sewage to comply with stipulated environmental standards before discharging into river and water bodies. Accordingly, CPCB, SPCBs and PCCs take punitive action for non-compliance under provisions of these Acts. In addition, the industries are encouraged to reduce their waste water generation by technological advancement, reuse/recycle of wastewater and maintain Zero Liquid Discharge (ZLD) where ever possible.

Besides, in compliance of the orders of National Green Tribunal (NGT) in Original Application No.673/2018 regarding polluted river stretches in the country, States/UTs are required to implement action plans approved by CPCB for restoration of the identified polluted river stretches in their jurisdiction within the stipulated timelines. As per the orders of NGT, regular review on implementation of action plans is undertaken in the States/UTs and also at Central level through the Central Monitoring Committee that also monitor the progress on action plan for 13 Coastal States/UTs.

This information was given by the Minister of State for Jal Shakti, Shri Bishweswar Tudu  in a  written reply in Rajya Sabha today.

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AS

ANNEXURE

 “State-wise sewage generation and treatment capacity of urban centers-India”

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