Lucknow, Aug 31 - The National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG) has recently made significant strides toward combating pollution and preserving the ecosystem of the Ganga River, having approved five projects worth Rs 73.39 crore aimed at Uttar Pradesh. This decision was reached during their 56th executive committee meeting held recently in New Delhi.
Chaired by Rajeev Kumar Mital, Director General of NMCG, the executive committee emphasized the pivotal role these projects play in maintaining the cleanliness and conservation of the river. An official statement underscored the importance of minimizing pollution levels, asserting, "The approved projects are pivotal to the improvement of the river’s ecosystem as these assure minimized levels of pollution in Ganga, thereby maintaining its cleanliness and ensuring its conservation."
Among the approved initiatives is the project termed 'Establishment of Secretariat for Smart Laboratory on Clean Rivers (SLCR)' at Varanasi. Managed under the ambit of the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) BHU, this project aims to leverage global expertise and sustainable practices to rejuvenate not only the Ganga but also the numerous small rivers scattered across India. The focus here is on harmonizing environmental health, economic viability, and social benefit to transform these water bodies.
Another noteworthy endeavor is the 'Faecal Sludge Management for Abatement of Pollution of River Ganga at Dalmau, Raebareli, Uttar Pradesh,' which is part of the broader Namami Gange Mission aimed at reducing river pollution. This project includes the establishment of an eight KLD (kilolitres per day) Faecal Sludge Treatment Plant, accompanied by the installation of solar power systems, including a 15 KW Solar Power Plant and one Solar inverter.
Further plans include the implementation of sewerage systems, with specific reference to Gulaothi Town, situated within the Bulandshahr district. This project, totaling Rs 50.98 crore, is intended to prevent pollution entering the East Kali River, which serves as a tributary of the Ganga, running through multiple districts across Uttar Pradesh. The capacity of this initiative is set at 10 MLD (million litres per day), comprising the execution of sewage treatment works and the operation of sewage treatment plants (STPs) for the next 15 years.
Equally significant is the 'Restoration Plan of Lower Order Streams and Tributaries in the Upper Gomti River Basin through Nature-Based Solutions (NBS),' which was backed by the Babasaheb Bhimrao Ambedkar Central University, Lucknow. This initiative aims to rejuvenate the smaller streams and tributaries within the upper Gomti River Basin using environmentally friendly methods. Priced at approximately Rs 81.09 lakh, it highlights the importance of smaller water bodies to the overall health of the Ganga, as they are integral to maintaining water flow and the ecosystem within larger river systems.
The meeting was attended by several influential officials and experts, including Nalin Srivastava, Deputy Director General of NMCG, alongside other executives responsible for project implementation and management. The discussions reflected the seriousness of preserving India's water bodies, reinforcing the government's commitments undertaken through the Namami Gange Mission.
Through these initiatives, the NMCG aims not just to improve the Ganga’s ecosystem but also to encourage sustainable practices ingrained with scientific know-how and global suggestions. Each project is conceptualized to bring tangible benefits to local communities, thereby aligning environmental actions with social imperatives. The commitment to maintaining the health of the Ganga and related waterways is not just about preserving tradition, but contributing to the ecological balance and well-being of the region.
Given the socio-economic significance of the Ganga River to the millions relying on it, this set of approved projects could represent both immediate relief and long-term recovery for one of the world’s most important river systems. The hope is firmly established—effective collaborations between scientists, engineers, and local communities might just be the key to reviving the Ganga and securing its future as the lifeline of India.
