Lok Sabha Question No. 15 (STARRED), answered on 2024-07-22
Subject: Most Polluted River Stretches in Tamil Nadu
Ministry: ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE
Asked by: Shri Matheswaran V S

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

## LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. 15

TO BE ANSWERED ON 22.07.2024

## Most Polluted River Stretches in Tamil Nadu

## *15. SHRI MATHESWARAN V S:

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

- (a) the details of 'Priority-1'(Most Polluted) river stretches in the State of Tamil Nadu;
- (b) the details of preventive measures taken by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) regarding the untreated dirty water and industrial waste flowing into the Kaveri river in Pallipalayam region of Namakkal District every year;
- (c) the number of cases registered against dyeing and textile units under the Air and Water Act from 2019 to date; and
- (d) whether CPCB has approved any plan to set up Sewage Treatment Plants (STPs) in the Kaveri region of Namakkal, Erode District, if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

MINISTER FOR ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE (SHRI BHUPENDER YADAV)

(a) to (d): A statement is laid on the table of the House.

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STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PARAS (a) TO (d) OF THE LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. 15 DUE FOR REPLY ON 22.07.2024 REGARDING 'MOST POLLUTED RIVER STRETCHES IN TAMIL NADU' RAISED BY SHRI MATHESWARAN V S, HON'BLE MEMBER OF PARLIAMENT

- (a) Total  311  polluted  river  stretches  (PRS)  were  identified  in  year  2022,  based  on  the  water quality data of year 2019 and 2021 by Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB). Accordingly, 10 PRS were identified in Tamil Nadu i.e.  Priority I (4), Priority II (1), Priority III (1), Priority IV (1) & Priority V (3). Details of PRS identified in Priority I class are tabulated below.

|   S NO | RIVERNAME        | POLLUTED RIVER STRETCH/ LOCATION   |   MAXBOD OBSERVED | PRIORITY CLASS   |
|--------|------------------|------------------------------------|-------------------|------------------|
|      1 | ADYAR            | TAMBARAM TO NANDANAM               |                40 | I                |
|      2 | COOUM            | AVADI TO SATHYA NAGAR              |               345 | I                |
|      3 | THIRUMANIM UTHAR | ALONG SALEM                        |                56 | I                |
|      4 | VASISHTA         | ALONG SALEM                        |               230 | I                |

## (b)

In year 2018, based on the water quality data of year 2016 and 2017, 351 polluted river stretches (PRS)  were  identified  by  CPCB.  Out  of  which,  6  PRS  were  identified  in  Tamil  Nadu  State including Polluted Stretch of River Kaveri from Mettur to Mayiladuthurai under Priority Class I (BOD >30 mg/L).

For rejuvenation of 351 polluted river stretches identified by CPCB during the year 2018, action plans have been prepared by River Rejuvenation Committee (RRC) constituted by the respective State Government/ UT Administration, under the overall supervision and coordination of Principal Secretary, Environment of the concerned State /Union Territory for bringing all the polluted river stretches identified by CPCB fit for bathing purposes (i.e. BOD ˂ 3 mg/L and FC ˂ 500 MPN/100 mL). Progress of implementation of action plans is reviewed by the RRC at State Level and Central Monitoring Committee (CMC) constituted at Central Level.

Apart from the above, the measures taken by the government for prevention and control of water pollution are given below-

-  Government of India enacted The Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974 and various provisions under The Environment (Protection) Act, 1986 for protection of water  bodies.  The  Central  &  State  Pollution  Control  Boards  are  implementing  the provisions of both The Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974 and the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986 to prevent and control pollution of aquatic resources.
-  SPCBs/PCCs have been directed under Section  18(1) (b) of The Water (Prevention  & Control of Pollution) Act, 1974 to direct concerned agencies in the State/UT to develop infrastructure for sewage treatment.
-  Government of India stipulated General discharge standards and industry specific effluent discharge standards under Environment (Protection) Rules, 1986 with an aim to prevent pollution in the water bodies.
-  'Indicative Guidelines for restoration of water bodies' have been issued by CPCB as a guidance to the Stakeholders for ensuring restoration/ rejuvenation of water bodies.
-  Revised Guidelines on Idol Immersion in Water Bodies are implemented in the country with effect from January 01st, 2021.
-  CPCB vide letter dated  17.02.2023  requested  all  the  SPCBs/PCCs  to  ensure  necessary action to prevent, control/abate pollution of stagnant water bodies in respective States/UTs as per provisions of Section 17 (1) (a) of the Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974.
- (c) No  case  has  been  registered  against  any  textile  dyeing  industry  by  CPCB  before  any Tribunal/Court under the Air and Water Act from 2019 till date.
- (d)  CPCB does not grant any approval for setting up of Sewage Treatment Plants (STPs).

***