Lok Sabha Question No. 881 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-12-04
Subject: Critically Polluted River Stretches
Ministry: JAL SHAKTI
Asked by: Shri Karti P Chidambaram

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF JAL SHAKTI

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

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 881

ANSWERED ON 04.12.2025

## CRITICALLY POLLUTED RIVER STRETCHES

## 881.  SHRI KARTI P CHIDAMBARAM:

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, Assam and Gujarat;

(b) the reasons for 35 per cent of CPRS identified under the National River Conservation Plan showing worsening pollution despite funds allocated for their cleaning up;

(c) the specific measures taken to protect the Ganga's water quality during large religious gatherings like the Kumbh Mela in view of concerns highlighted in media reports about pollution spikes and ecological stress during such events; and

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

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR JAL SHAKTI

## ( SHRI RAJ BHUSHAN CHOUDHARY )

(a) & (b) As per the Central Pollution Control Board's (CPCB) 2025 report on 'Polluted River Stretches for Restoration of Water Quality', two polluted river stretches have been identified in Maharashtra, one in Assam and four in Gujarat, where the Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD) levels exceed 30 mg/l.

CPCB identifies polluted  river  stretches  in  the  rivers  across  the  country  in  association  with  State Pollution  Control  Boards (SPCBs)  and  Pollution  Control  Committees  (PCCs)  under  National  Water Quality Monitoring Programme. Implementation of various pollution abatement programmes, including National River Conservation Plan (NRCP) scheme, has led to a reduction in the number of Polluted River Stretches (PRS) from 351 in 2018 to 296 in 2025.

It  has  been  observed  that  CPRS  have  been  decreased  from  45  (2018)  to  37  (2025).  Further,  149 PRSs have been delisted and improvement in the water quality of 71 polluted river stretches  has  been observed as compared to the CPCB's report of 2018.

(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  providing  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  sensitize 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 of 4493 industries under Grossly Polluting Industries (GPIs), out of which,  3633  number  of  industries  were  operational  and  860  industries  had  closed  down  on  their  own. Amongst the operational industries, 3031 industries were reported to be complying with the environmental standards,  while  show-cause  notices  issued  to  572  industries,  closure  directions  issued  to  29  noncomplying industries and direction issued to 1 unit.

*****