Lok Sabha Question No. 3462 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-03-16
Subject: Pollution in Major Rivers
Ministry: ENVIRONMENT,  FORESTS AND CLIMATE CHANGE
Asked by: BANSHILAL MAHTO

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.3462

TO BE ANSWERED ON 16.03.2018

## Pollution in Major Rivers

3462. DR. BANSHILAL MAHATO:

Will the Minister of ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE be pleased to state:

- (a) whether major rivers of the country including River Hasdeo of Chhattisgarh are becoming or have become very polluted due to industries/factories located on the banks of these rivers;
- (b) if so, the details thereof and the reaction of the Government thereto;
- c)        the  details  of  guidelines  and  norms  prescribed  regarding  chemical  and  other polluting effluents from industries/factories situated on the banks of rivers;
- (d)      whether  the  Supreme  Court  and  National  Green  Tribunal  have  issued  any directions in this regard; and
- (e)    if so, the details thereof and the steps taken by the Government to ensure strict compliance of norms by industries to improve the condition of rivers?

## ANSWER

MINISTER  OF  STATE  IN  THE  MINISTRY  OF  ENVIRONMENT,  FOREST  AND CLIMATE CHANGE (DR. MAHESH SHARMA)

(a ) & (b)   Rivers in the country are mainly polluted due to discharge of untreated and partially  treated  sewage  from  cities/towns  and  industrial  effluents.  Central  Pollution Control  Board  (CPCB)  has  informed  that  there  are  a  total  number  of  2892  Grossly Polluting  Industries  (GPIs)  discharging  effluent  into  water  bodies,  including  rivers, across the country. These industries are required to meet the prescribed effluent quality norms before discharging their treated effluent into rivers & other water bodies. CPCB has  also  identified  302  polluted  river  stretches  in  the  country  based  on  Bio-chemical Oxygen Demand (BOD) levels, a key indicator of organic pollution. The stretch of river Hasdeo from Korba to Urga in Chhattisgarh is included in the list of polluted stretches identified by CPCB. State-wise details of polluted river stretches are at Annexure.

O.I.H.

(c) CPCB and State Pollution  Control  Boards  (SPCBs)  are  implementing  the Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974 to restore the water quality of rivers & other water bodies. So far, 45 industry specific effluent standards have been notified by the  Ministry,  in  addition  to  general  discharge  standards  for  rivers  and  other  water bodies. Industries are required to install suitable effluent treatment plants at the time of setting  up  of  industries,  and  are  mandated  to  follow  the  stipulated  standards  before discharge into rivers and other water bodies.

(d) Hon'ble Supreme Court in its judgment in W.P. (Civil) No. 375 of 2012 in matter of Paryavaran Suraksha Samiti & Anr vs. Union of India & Ors has, inter alia, directed all State Pollution Control Boards (SPCBs)/Pollution Control Committees (PCCs), including the Secretary of the Department of Environment of the respective State Governments, to  take  necessary  steps  to  ensure  that  no  industry  is  permitted  to  operate  without effluent  treatment  either  through  Effluent  Treatment  Plant  (ETP)  or  Common  Effluent Treatment  Plant  (CETP).  Besides,  National  Green  Tribunal  (Principal  Bench)  vide  its judgments dated 10.12.2015 in Original Application No. 10 of 2015 and 13.07.2017 in Original Application No. 200 of  2014 has issued various directions for conservation and control of pollution in river Ganga and its tributaries.

(e)  To  control  discharge  of  industrial  effluents,  the  CPCB  and  respective  SPCBs/ PCCs  monitor industries with respect to effluents discharge standards and take action for  non-compliance  under  the  Water  (Prevention  and  Control  of  Pollution)  Act,  1974 and  the  Environment  (Protection)  Act,  1986.  In  this  regard,  various  steps  taken  by Government include rigorous monitoring and directions to grossly polluting industries & 17 categories of highly polluting industries for installation of online (24x7) monitoring devices,  promoting  low  waste  concept  in  industries  particularly  those  located  on  the river  banks,  notifying  industry  specific  effluent  standards,  promoting  setting  up  of CETPs for cluster of small industries, etc.

*****

Annexure referred to in reply to parts (a) & (b) of Lok Sabha Unstarred Question No. 3462 to be answered on Friday, the 16 th March, 2018 on 'Pollution in Major Rivers'.

## State-Wise Polluted River Stretches

|   S.No. | State Name                        | Stretch Identified                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         |   Number |
|---------|-----------------------------------|----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|----------|
|       1 | Andhra Pradesh                    | Godavari, Hundri, Krishna, Tungabhadra, Pennar, Kundu                                                                                                                                                                                                                      |        6 |
|       2 | Assam                             | Mora Bharali, Barak, Beki, Bharalu, Bhogdoi, Boginadi, Brahamputra, Burhidihing, Deepar Bill, Dhansiri, Digboi, Disang, Jia Bharali, Jhanji , Kalong, Kapili, Kharsang, Kohora, Kundli, Kushiara, Manas, Pagldia, Panchnai, Ranga Nadi, Sankosh, Sonai,Subansiri, Kathakal |       28 |
|       3 | Bihar                             | Ganga, Harbora, Manusmar, Ram Rekha, Sirsia                                                                                                                                                                                                                                |        5 |
|       4 | Chhattisgarh                      | Hasdeo, Kelo, Kharoon, Mahanadi, Seonath                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   |        5 |
|       5 | Daman, Diu and Dadra Nagar Haveli | Damanganga                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 |        1 |
|       6 | Delhi                             | Yamuna                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     |        1 |
|       7 | Goa                               | Mandovi, Assonora, Bicholim, Chapora, Khandepar, Mapusa, Sal, Valvant                                                                                                                                                                                                      |        8 |
|       8 | Gujarat                           | Mahi, Narmada, Ambika, Amlakhadi, Anas, Balehwar Khadi, Bhadar, Damanganga, Kaveri, Khari, Kim, Kolak, Panam, Bhogavo, Dhadar, Purna, Sabarmati, Shedhi, Tapi, Triveni,                                                                                                    |       20 |
|       9 | Haryana                           | Ghaggar, Yamuna                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            |        2 |
|      10 | Himachal Pradesh                  | Beas, Tons, Sirsa, Swan, Sukhana, Suketi Khad, Binwa, Markanda                                                                                                                                                                                                             |        8 |
|      11 | Jammu & Kashmir                   | Banganga, Basanter, Chenab, Chunt Kol, Dewak, Gawkadal, Jhelam, Lidder, Tawi                                                                                                                                                                                               |        9 |
|      12 | Jharkhand                         | Bokaro, Koel, Damodar, Jumar, Karo, Sankh, Subarnarekha, Koel                                                                                                                                                                                                              |        8 |
|      13 | Karnataka                         | Arkavathi, Bhadra, Bhima, Cauvery, Ghatprabha, Kabini, Kagina, Kali, Krishna, Lakshmantirtha, Malaprabha, Manjira, Shimsha, Tungabhadra, Tungha                                                                                                                            |       15 |
|      14 | Kerala                            | Chitrapuzha, Kadambayar, Kallai, Karamana, Keecheri, Kuppam, Manimala, Neeleswaram, Periyar, Pullur, Puzhackal, Thirur, Uppala                                                                                                                                             |       13 |
|      15 | Madhya Pradesh                    | Banjar, Betwa, Bichia, Chambal, Chillar, Denwa, Gohad, Gour, Jammer, Kalisot, Khan, Kolar, Kshipra, Kunda, Malei, Narmada, Parvati, Shivna, Tapi, Tons, Wainganga                                                                                                          |       21 |
|      16 | Maharashtra                       | Wena, Wainganga, Godavari, Bhima, Krishna, Ulhas, Kundalika, Tapi, Girna, Panchganga, Nira, Bhatsa, Rangavali, Indrayani, Chandrabhaga, Vashisti, Mithi,                                                                                                                   |       49 |

|         |               | Kanhan, Koyna, Amba, Amravati, Bindusara, Darna, Ghod, Gomai, Hiwara, Kan, Manjara, Mor, Morna, Mula, Mula- Mutha, Mutha, Panzara, Patalganga, Pawna, Pedhi, Pelhar, Penganga, Purna, Savitri, Sina, Surya, Urmodi, Vaitrana, Vel, Venna, Waghur, Wardha   |     |
|---------|---------------|------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|-----|
| 17      | Manipur       | Barak, Imphal, Iril, Khuga, Khujairok, Lokchao, Maha, Manipur, Nambul, Sekmai, Thoubal, Wangjing                                                                                                                                                           |  12 |
| 18      | Meghalaya     | Bugi, Kynshi, Kyrhukhla, Lukha, Myntdu, Nonbah, Umkhrah, Umshyrpi, Umtrew, Wahblei                                                                                                                                                                         |  10 |
| 19      | Nagaland      | Chathe, Dhansiri, Dzu                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      |   3 |
| 20      | Odisha        | Baitrani, Brahamani, Budhabalnaga, Daya, Kathajodi, Koel, Kuakhai, Mahanadi, Nagavalli, Rushikulya, Serua, Vansadhara                                                                                                                                      |  12 |
| 21      | Punjab        | Ghaggar, Satluj                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            |   2 |
| 22      | Rajasthan     | Banas, Chambal, Chappi, Ghaggar, Kali Sindh, Parvati, Jawai, Ujad                                                                                                                                                                                          |   8 |
| 23      | Sikkim        | Dikchu, Maney Khola, Rangit, Ranichu, Teesta                                                                                                                                                                                                               |   5 |
| 24      | Tamil Nadu    | Bhavani, Cauvery, Palar, Sarabanga, Tambirapani, Thirumanimuthar, Vasista                                                                                                                                                                                  |   7 |
| 25      | Telangana     | Godavari, Krishna, Manjeera, Musi, Nakkavagu, Sabari, Maner                                                                                                                                                                                                |   7 |
| 26      | Tripura       | Gumti, Haora                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               |   2 |
| 27      | Uttar Pradesh | Betwa, Ghaghara, Gomti, Hindon, Kalinadi, Ramganga, Rapti, Rihand, Sai, Saryu, Ganga, Yamuna, Kosi                                                                                                                                                         |  13 |
| 28      | Uttarakhand   | Bhela, Dhela, Suswa, Ganga, Kosi                                                                                                                                                                                                                           |   5 |
| 29      | West Bengal   | Barakar, Churni, Damodar, Dwarakeshwar, Dwarka, Ganga, Jalangi, Kaljani, Kansi, Karola, Mahananda, Mathabhanga, Mayurkashi, Rupnarayan, Silabati, Teesta, Vindhadhari                                                                                      |  17 |
| Total : | Total :       |                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            | 302 |