Lok Sabha Question No. 2765 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2021-08-05
Subject: Increasing Pollution in Rivers
Ministry: JAL SHAKTI
Asked by: Ashok Mahadeorao Nete

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. †2765

## ANSWERED ON 05.08 .2021

## INCREASING POLLUTION IN RIVERS

## †2765 SHRI ASHOK MAHADEORAO NETE

Will the Minister of JAL SHAKTI be pleased to state:

(a) whether the Pollution Control Research Institute has conducted or proposes to conduct i for increasing pollution of major rivers in the country;

(b) if so, the outcome and recommendat io s made therein;

- (c) the reaction of the Government thereto; and

(d) the steps being taken by the Government to curb increasing pollution of the holy rivers?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE FOR JAL SHAKTI & FOOD PROCESSING INDUSTRIES

## ( SHRI PRAHLAD SINGH PATEL )

(a)to (d) The Pollution Control Research Institute in Hardwar (Uttarakhand) has informed that not carried out any comprehensive study on increasing pollution in major rivers of the countr

Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) in association with Pollution Control Boards/Committees in different States/Union Territories (UTs), have been monitoring the wate rivers  and  other  water  bodies  across  the  country  through  a  network  of  monitoring  station National  Water  Q uality  Monitoring  Programme. Based  on  water  quality  monitoring  results,  pollut 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.

Cleaning/rejuvenation of rivers is an ongoing activity. It is the responsibility of and local bodies to ensure required treatment of sewage and industrial effluents to the prescribed before  discharging  into  river  and  other  water  bodies,  coastal  waters  or  land  to  prevent pollution  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 stretches of rivers in the country through the Central Sector Scheme of Namami Gange for riv basin and theCentrally Sponsored S cheme of National River Conservation Plan (NRCP) for other river

Proposals for pollution abatement works in the towns along polluted river stretches 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 pr cost of Rs.5965 .90 crore, and inter -alia, a sewage treatment capacity of 2522.03 MLD has been crea Under theNamami Gange programme, a total of 346 projects including 158 projects for sewage tr of 4948 M LD and sewer network of 5213 km have been sanctioned at a cost of Rs.30235 crore.

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

As per the Provisions of Enviro nment (Protection) Act, 1986 and Water (Prevention & Contr of Pollution), Act 1974, industrial units are required to install effluent treatment plant their effluents to comply with stipulated environmental standards before discharging i nto r ver and water bodies. Accordingly, CPCB, State Pollution Control Boards (SPCBs) and Pollution Control Com (PCCs) monitor industries with respect to effluent discharge standards and take action for n -compliance under provisions of these Acts.

Besides,  in  compliance  of  the  orders  of  Hon'ble  National  Green  Tribunal  (NGT)  in  Original Application No.673/2018 regarding rejuvenation of polluted river stretches in the country, S required to implement approved action plans for restoration of the polluted stretches in their jurisd identified by CPCB and published in their report of 2018, within the stipulated timelines. As of NGT, regular review on implementation of action plans is undertaken in the States /UTs and also at Central level.

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