Lok Sabha Question No. 4797 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-08-21
Subject: Critically Polluted River Stretches
Ministry: JAL SHAKTI
Asked by: Dr. Kirsan Namdeo

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 4797

ANSWERED ON 21.08.2025

## CRITICALLY POLLUTED RIVER STRETCHES

## 4797. DR. KIRSAN NAMDEO:

Will the Minister of JAL SHAKTI be pleased to state:

(a) the current number of Critically Polluted River Stretches (CPRS) where Biological Oxygen Demand (BOD) exceeds 30 mg/l in Maharashtra;

(b)  the  reasons  for  which  the  35%  of  CPRS  identified  in  the  National  River  Conservation  Plan  show worsening pollution despite funds allocated for their cleaning up;

(c)  the  specific  measures  taken/proposed  to  be  taken  by  the  Government  to  protect  the  Ganga's  water quality during large religious gatherings such as the Kumbh Mela in view of recent concerns highlighted in media reports regarding pollution spikes and ecological stress during such events; and

(d)  whether  any  penalties  have  been  imposed  on  the  industries/polluters  in  these  stretches  under  the Water (Prevention & Control of Pollution) Act, 1974 and if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR JAL SHAKTI

## ( SHRI RAJ BHUSHAN CHOUDHARY )

(a)  &  (b) As  per  the  latest  Report  on  'Polluted  River  Stretches  for  Restoration  of  Water  Quality' published by Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) in 2022, , in Maharashtra, the BOD level exceeded 30 milligrams per litre (mg/l) at 4 polluted river stretches.

CPCB identifies polluted  river  stretches  in  the  rivers  across  the  country  in  association  with  State Pollution  Control  Boards (SPCB)  and  Pollution  Control  Committees  (PCCs)  under  National  Water Quality Monitoring programme. Implementation of various pollution abatement programmes, including NRCP scheme, has led to a reduction in the number of Polluted River Stretches (PRS) from 351 in 2018 to  311  in  2022.  Further,  106  PRSs  have  been  delisted  and  improvement  in  the  water  quality  of  74 polluted river stretches has been observed as compared to the 2018 report.

(c) The Government, through the National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG) and in coordination with the  concerned  State  Governments,  implements  a  series  of  preventive  and  mitigative  measures  to safeguard the water quality of river Ganga during large religious gatherings such as the Kumbh Mela, Ardh Kumbh and Magh Mela.

These measures include partial financial assistance, augmentation of sewage treatment infrastructure, provision of adequate temporary sanitation facilities, establishment of solid waste management systems, regulation  of  effluent  discharges  from  Grossly  Polluting  Industries  (GPIs)  and  organising  continuous water  quality  monitoring.  Awareness  campaigns  to  sensitise  pilgrims  and  deployment  of  enforcement teams to check polluting activities at Prayagraj.

Besides, Prayagraj Mela Authority prepared a comprehensive Sanitation Plan for Maha Kumbh 2025 that  included  Service  Level  Benchmarks  (SLBs)  to  ensure  accountability  and  performance,  Post-Mela sanitation measures and laying of temporary drainage lines.

In  addition,  based  on  the  post  event  learnings,  corrective  actions  and  planning  improvements  are implemented for future events including enhanced reuse strategies, improved disinfection protocols and structured redeployment of sanitation infrastructure.

Further, the CPCB carried out water quality monitoring at five stations (twice a week) from 12th January  2025  to  20th  February  2025  during  Maha  Kumbh  2025  at  Shringverpur  Ghat,  Lord  Curzon Bridge, Nagvasuki Mandir, Sangam and Deeha Ghat, covering auspicious bathing (Amrit Snan) days.

(d) As  per  the  provisions  of  the  Environment  (Protection)  Act,  1986  and  the  Water  (Prevention  & Control of Pollution) Act 1974, all industrial units and other establishments generating trade effluents, are  required  to  comply  with  the  stipulated  standards  before  discharging  into  rivers  and  water  bodies. CPCB, SPCBs/ PCCs monitor industries to ensure compliance of the provisions of the said Acts, and take necessary action accordingly.

As per CPCB, there are  total 4,538 industries under GPIs. Out of which, 3672 number of industries were operational and 866 industries had closed down on their own. Amongst the operational industries, 3064  industries  were  reported  to  be  complying  with  the  environmental  standards,  while  show-cause notices issued to 571 industries and closure directions issued to 36 non-complying industries. In addition, penalty has been imposed on 01 industry.

*****