Lok Sabha Question No. 3157 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-08-04
Subject: GAP and YAP
Ministry: WATER RESOURCES, RIVER DEVELOPMENT AND GANAGA REJUVENATION
Asked by: TARIQ ANWAR

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

## LOK  SABHA UNSTARRED  QUESTION  NO. 3157

ANSWERED ON 04.08.2016

## GAP AND YAP

## †3157. SHRI TARIQ ANWAR:

Will the Minister of  WATER  RESOURCES,  RIVER  DEVELOPMENT  AND  GANGA REJUVENATION be pleased to state:

- (a)  the  date  on  which  the  work  on  the  Ganga  Action  Plan  (GAP)  and  the  Yamuna  Action  Plan (YAP) had been started along with the amount of funds spent on both the plans so far;
- (b) the extent of success achieved by the Government in this regard;
- (c)  whether the Government has paid attention towards the failures of outlines prepared for these plans;
- (d) if so, the details of the factors found responsible for the same; and
- (e) the manner in which the Government is considering to remove these factors/ shortcomings?

## ANSWER

THE  MINISTER  OF  STATE  (IC)  FOR  YOUTH  AFFAIRS  &  SPORTS  AND  MINISTER  OF STATE FOR WATER RESOURCES, RIVER DEVELOPMENT AND GANGA REJUVENATION (SHRI VIJAY GOEL)

- (a)  Ganga Action Plan (GAP) was launched in June 1984 and the Yamuna Action Plan (YAP) was approved in April 1993. The total expenditure under the GAP Phase - I & II is Rs. 938.57 crore till 31st March, 2013.  The total expenditure under the YAP Phase- I & II is Rs. 1514.80 crore till 31st March, 2015.
- (b) to (e)   The programme, despite making moderate gains in arresting the decline in water quality, had  certain  limitations  in  implementation.  The  limiting  factors  include  E-flow  not  adequately addressed,  Inadequate  financial  and  human  resources  with  ULBs,  Financing  &  financial  models issues, River Bio-diversity in back seat, Ineffective data generation & analysis, Poor enforcement on Industries,  In-effective  citizen  involvement,  Interventions  restricted  to  Class  I  and  Class  II  Towns and did not cover small towns and rural settlements.

Some of these issues were addressed to some extent under NGRBA programme through creation of dedicated agencies at Centre and States and sanctioning of sewerage network projects, inclusion of O&M costs in the project cost etc. However, the enormity of the task at hand and the corresponding resource requirement necessitated a collaborative approach through various Ministries. Accordingly, under  Namami  Gange,  these  gaps  are  being  addressed  through  a  collaborative  approach  with concerned Ministries undertaking projects relevant for Ganga rejuvenation under their mandate.

The Namami Gange programme has identified 7 thrust areas  and 21 action points as indicated at Annexure-1 to address the shortcomings of the previous programmes.

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Annexure  referred  to    in  reply  of  Lok  Sabha  unstarred  Question  No.3157  due  for  reply  on 04.08.2016

## The Thrust and Action Areas of Namami Gange Programme:

## 7 Thrust Areas:

1. River Wholesomeness and Aviral Dhara
2. Pollution Abatement and Clean River
3. River Front Development
4. Capacity Building
5. Research and Monitoring
6. Biodiversity Conservation and
7. Creation of awareness

## 21 Action Points:

1. Taking up comprehensive measures to determine and maintain environmental flow which is site, season and river specific and ensuring longitudinal connectivity;
2. Rehabilitation and up-gradation of existing sewage treatment facilities and taking up new projects of sewage infrastructure;
3. Treatment of sewage and other effluents flowing directly into the river through various drains by adoption of suitable technology and financial models.
4. Tackling industrial pollution
5. Promoting sanitation in rural areas on the banks of the river Ganga and development of select village panchayats as model panchayats to be christened as 'Ganga Grams'.
6. Tackling pollution coming from use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides
7. Tackling pious refuse entering into the river including cleaning of river surface and ghats
8. Creating model cremation ghats on the banks of the river
9. River front development and Ghats at selected 7 places and also at other places of cultural significance
10. Development of public amenities in Char DhamYatra and at Ganga Sagar
11. Engagement of Ganga Task Force
12. Providing support to States for preparation of DPRs
13. Coordination between various Ministries of the Central Government and concerned State Governments; capacity building of State Governments, Urban local bodies and Panchayati Raj Institutions.
14. G.I.S. and spatial mapping of Ganga Basin
15. Research projects including Ganga River Basin Management Plan (GRBMP)
16. Establishment of National Ganga Monitoring Centre
17. Establishment of Ganga Institute of River Sciences at a suitable location along Ganga
18. Afforestation drive for medicinal plants and native tree species.
19. Conserving diversity of Gangetic aquatic life
20. Creation of Ganga Vahini
21. Communication and Public outreach activities