Lok Sabha Question No. 2638 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-03-16
Subject: NRCP in Tamil Nadu
Ministry: JAL SHAKTI
Asked by: S. Ramalingam

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF JAL SHAKTI, DEPARTMENT OF WATER RESOURCES, RIVER DEVELOPMENT & GANGA REJUVENATION

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2638

## ANSWERED ON 16.03.2023 NRCP IN TAMIL NADU

## 2638. SHRI RAMALINGAM S.

Will the Minister of JAL SHAKTI be pleased to state:

(a) the details of the steps taken/interventions by the National River Conservation Directorate regarding abatement  of  pollution  of  identified  polluted  stretches  of  river  Cauvery  under  National  River Conservation Plan (NRCP) during the last three years; and

(b) the actions taken/proposed to be taken by the Government to improve the sewerage infrastructure, rural  sanitation,  bioremediation,  industrial  pollution  abatement  and  riverfront  development  in  Tamil Nadu?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR JAL SHAKTI ( SHRI BISHWESWAR TUDU )

(a) & (b) This Ministry, through the Centrally Sponsored Scheme of National River Conservation Plan (NRCP), has been supplementing efforts of the States/Union Territories (UTs) by providing financial and technical assistance  for  abatement  of  pollution  in  identified  stretches  of  rivers,  excluding  Ganga and its tributaries, on cost sharing basis between Central and State Governments. Pollution abatement works  admissible  under  NRCP  include  setting  up  of  sewage  treatment  plants  (STPs),  laying  of sewerage  networks,  interception  and  diversion  works,  crematoria,  construction  of  bathing  ghats, afforestation, etc. Proposals for consideration under the NRCP are received from the States/UTs from time  to  time  and  sanctioned  based  on  their  prioritization,  conformity  with  guidelines,  availability  of Plan funds, etc.

Under NRCP, pollution abatement projects for conservation of River Cauvery in Tamil Nadu were sanctioned  at  a  total  cost  of  Rs .263.76 crore  in  9  different  towns  namely  Bhiwani,  Erode,  Karur, Kumarapalayam,  Kumbakonam,  Mayiladuthurai,  Pallipalayam,  Trichirappalli  and  Trichy.  10  sewage treatment plants (STPs) with a total capacity of 161.41 million liters per day (MLD), along with low cost  sanitation,  river  front  development,  bathing  ghat,  afforestation,  etc.  have  been  completed  for conservation of River Cauvery in Tamil Nadu.  In the last three years, no project has been sanctioned under this scheme in Tamil Nadu.

Cleaning and rejuvenation of rivers is an ongoing process. As 'Water' is a State subject, it is the responsibility of States/UTs, Local Bodies and Industrial units to ensure required treatment of sewage and industrial effluents before discharging into rivers and other water bodies, land or coastal waters for prevention and control of pollution therein.

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) respectively and treat their effluents/sewage to comply with stipulated environmental standards before discharging into  river  and  water  bodies.  Accordingly,  Central  Pollution  Control  Board  (CPCB),  State  Pollution Control  Boards  (SPCB)/Pollution  Control  Committees  (PCCs)  monitor  industries  with  respect  to effluent discharge standards and take punitive action for non-compliance under the provisions of these Acts.

Additionally, in compliance with the orders of Hon'ble 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 these action plans is undertaken in the States/UTs and the same is also done at the Central level by Secretary, Department of Water Resources, River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation, Ministry of Jal Shakti, Govt. of India.

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