In a significant move toward rejuvenating the Ganga River, the 59th Executive Committee (EC) meeting of the National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG), chaired by Shri Rajeev Kumar Mital, approved multiple critical projects with a collective investment of over ₹537 crores. These projects aim to enhance river cleanliness, promote sustainable development, and preserve the environmental and cultural heritage of the Ganga.
Key Initiatives in Uttar Pradesh
The EC approved projects worth ₹272 crores for Chandauli and Manikpur. The Chandauli project, with an allocation of ₹263 crores, involves constructing a 45 MLD Sewage Treatment Plant (STP) under the hybrid annuity model. It includes provisions for operation and maintenance for the next 15 years, ensuring long-term efficacy.
In Manikpur, Pratapgarh district, a ₹9-crore Faecal Sludge Management Project will establish a 15 KLD Faecal Sludge Treatment Plant and a 35 KW solar power facility. This project focuses on eco-friendly waste management and sustainable operations over the next five years.
Ambitious Project for Buxar, Bihar
An advanced sewerage project worth ₹257 crores has been sanctioned for Buxar. The initiative, based on the Design-Build-Operate-Transfer (DBOT) model, includes a 50 MLD STP, a 1 MLD nature-based STP, three interception pumping stations, and an 8.68 km sewer network. With a 15-year maintenance plan, the project ensures state-of-the-art infrastructure to combat river pollution.
Sanitation Management in West Bengal
For Uttarpara-Kotrung Municipality in West Bengal, an integrated septage treatment project has been approved at a cost of ₹8 crores. The initiative will establish a 22 KLD Faecal Sludge Treatment Plant under the DBOT model, coupled with a five-year operation and maintenance plan to ensure sustainable sanitation practices.
A Step Forward in Environmental Protection
These projects signify a major stride toward achieving a pollution-free Ganga, aligning with broader environmental conservation goals. They also reflect the NMCG’s unwavering dedication to ensuring cleaner rivers and fostering sustainable development.
The meeting, held in Delhi, saw the participation of key stakeholders, including Smt. Richa Mishra, Joint Secretary and Financial Advisor, Ministry of Jal Shakti, and senior officials from NMCG and state authorities. Through such collaborative efforts, the NMCG continues to set a strong precedent for effective river rejuvenation and improved sanitation across multiple states.
