Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) in association with Pollution Control Boards/Committees in different States/Union Territories (UTs), have been monitoring the water quality of rivers and other water bodies across the country through a network of monitoring stations under the National Water Quality Monitoring Programme. Based on water quality monitoring results, pollution assessment of rivers has been carried out by CPCB from time to time. As per the last report published by CPCB in September 2018, 351 polluted stretches were identified on 323 rivers based on monitoring results in terms of Bio-chemical Oxygen Demand (BOD), an indicator of organic pollution. State-wise details of polluted river stretches are given at Annexure.

   Drinking water containing ‘Nitrate’ concentration beyond permissible limit of 45 mg/l, as per Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) Drinking Water Specification (IS: 10500-2012), causes methemogloinemia or popularly known as blue baby syndrome. The other symptoms caused by higher concentration of Nitrate include decreased blood pressure, increased heart rate, headaches, stomach cramps and vomiting etc.

   Cleaning/rejuvenation of rivers is an ongoing activity. It is the responsibility of the States/UTs and local bodies to ensure required treatment of sewage and industrial effluents to the prescribed norms before  discharging  into  river  and  other  water  bodies,  coastal  waters  or  land  to  prevent  and control ofpollution therein. For conservation of rivers, this Ministry has been supplementing efforts of the States/UTs by providing financial and technical assistance for abatement of pollution in identified stretches of rivers in the country through the Central Sector Scheme of NamamiGange for rivers in Ganga basin and the Centrally Sponsored Scheme of National River Conservation Plan (NRCP) for other rivers.

Proposals for pollution abatement works in towns along polluted river stretches are received from the States/UTs from time to time for consideration under NRCP and sanctioned based on their prioritization, conformity with NRCP guidelines, availability of plan funds, etc.

NRCP has so far covered polluted stretches on 34 rivers in 77 towns spread over 16 States in the country with the project sanctioned cost of Rs. 5961.75 crore, and inter-alia, a sewage treatment capacity of 2677 million litres per day (mld) has been created. Under NamamiGangeprogramme, a total of 353 projects, including 157 projects for sewage treatment of 4952 mld and a sewer network of 5212 kms, have been sanctioned at a cost of Rs. 30458 crore.

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

Ministry of Environment, Forest & Climate Change (MoEF&CC) is providing financial assistance to the States/UTs under the scheme of National Plan for Conservation of Aquatic Ecosystems (NPCA) for pollution abatement and conservation of identified lakes and wetlands in the country.

Under Swachh Bharat Mission (Grameen), grey water management is the key component in villages through community systems such as construction of community soak pits, waste stabilization ponds, constructed wetlands, etc. Swachh Bharat Mission-Urban 2.0 has been launched on 01.10.2021 with vision of achieving “garbage free” status for all towns through sustainable solid waste management, sustainable sanitation and reuse of treated wastewater in all towns with less than 1 lakh population.

As per the Provisions of Environment (Protection) Act, 1986 and Water (Prevention & Control of Pollution), Act 1974, industrial units are required to install effluent treatment plants (ETPs) and treat their effluents to comply with stipulated environmental standards before discharging into river and water bodies. Accordingly, CPCB, State Pollution Control Boards (SPCBs) and Pollution Control Committees (PCCs) monitor industries with respect to effluent discharge standards and take action for non-compliance under provisions of these Acts.

Besides, in compliance of the orders of National Green Tribunal (NGT) in Original Application No.673/2018 regarding rejuvenation of polluted river stretches in the country, States/UTs are required to implement approved action plans for restoration of the polluted stretches in their jurisdiction as identified by CPCB and published in their report of 2018, 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.

This Information was given by the Minister of State for Jal Shakti, ShriBishweswarTuduin a written  reply in RajyaSabha today.

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Annexure

State / UTs Wise Polluted River Stretches

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BY/AS