Lok Sabha Question No. 910 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-07-24
Subject: Provisioning of underground Drainage System in Religious and Pilgrimage Sites
Ministry: JAL SHAKTI
Asked by: Shri B Y Raghavendra

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF JAL SHAKTI

## DEPARTMENT OF WATER RESOURCES, RIVER DEVELOPMENT & GANGA REJUVENATION

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 910

ANSWERED ON 24.07.2025

## PROVISIONING OF UNDERGROUND DRAINAGE SYSTEM IN RELIGIOUS AND PILGRIMAGE SITES

## 910.   SHRI B Y RAGHAVENDRA

Will the Minister of JAL SHAKTI be pleased to state:

(a) whether the Government is aware that many religious and pilgrimage sites in the country have lack of proper Underground Drainage (UDG) systems leading to mixing of wastewater with nearby rivers, lakes and other water sources and if so, the details thereof;

(b) the steps being taken by the Government to establish proper underground drainage and water treatment facilities  at  such  sites  to  prevent  pollution  of  sacred  water  bodies  that  hold  cultural  and  religious significance;

(c) whether there is any plan to prioritise pilgrimage sites under existing schemes like Namami Gange or other sanitation programmes to ensure clean water sources for devotees and local communities and if so, the details thereof;

(d)  whether the Government has conducted any surveys to identify major pilgrimage sites facing sewage and drainage issues and if so, the details of measures planned to address them; and

(e)  whether  the  Government  proposes  to  allocate  special  funds  and  collaborate  with  the  States  for  timebound implementation of UDG and sewage treatment projects at religious sites and if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR JAL SHAKTI

## ( SHRI RAJ BHUSHAN CHOUDHARY )

(a) to (e) Rivers and other water bodies in the country are polluted mainly due to discharge of untreated or partially treated sewage from cities/towns and industrial effluents in their respective catchments, dumping of  solid  wastes,  agricultural  run-off,  problems  in  operation  and  maintenance of sewage/effluent  treatment plants, lack of dilution and other non-point sources of pollution.

It is the primary responsibility of States/Union Territories (UTs) and local bodies to ensure required treatment  of  sewage  and  industrial  effluents,  before  discharging  into  recipient  water  bodies  or  land  for prevention and control of pollution therein.

This Ministry is implementing Namami Gange Program for rejuvenation, protection and management of river Ganga and its tributaries, and National River Conservation Plan (NRCP) for conservation of other

rivers in the country. Under these schemes, pollution abatement and sewerage infrastructure works are taken up  including  underground  wastewater  conveyance  system.  Under  Namami  Gange  Program,  several sanitation  initiatives  have  been  implemented  at  key  pilgrimage  sites  and  river  towns  namely  Haridwar, Varanasi, Rishikesh, Gangotri, Badrinath, Prayagraj and Sultanganj  to ensure clean river water, both for devotees and the local population. Similarly, religious/pilgrimage sites covered under NRCP include towns of Rajamundry, Pamba, Srirangapatna, Nashik, Triambakeshwar, Puri, Erode, Madurai and Thanjavur.

The schemes of Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation (AMRUT), Smart Cities Mission and Swachh Bharat Mission - Urban under the aegis of Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs are implemented  in  identified  towns  including  religious  and  pilgrimage  sites.  These  schemes  involving underground drainage system also, are aimed at improving water quality of rivers and other water bodies, sanitation systems and water management in different towns including religious sites.

The Central sector scheme of Pilgrimage Rejuvenation and Spiritual Augmentation Drive (PRASHAD)  launched  by  the  Ministry  of  Tourism,  Government  of  India  in  2014-2015  provides  for developing and enhancing pilgrimage and heritage destinations across India, focusing on religious tourism. The  scheme  aims  to  integrate  these  sites  in  a  planned,  sustainable,  and  holistic  manner,  improving infrastructure, promoting cleanliness, ensuring accessibility, and enhancing overall visitor experience.

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