The National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG) marked a significant milestone with the convening of its 50th Executive Committee (EC) meeting, presided over by DG, NMCG, G. Asok Kumar. During the meeting, a total of seven projects worth approximately Rs. 692 crore were given the green light, focused on enhancing sewage management in Uttar Pradesh and Bihar.
Of the approved projects, four are dedicated to sewage management in the states of Uttar Pradesh and Bihar. For Uttar Pradesh, three projects valued at Rs. 661.74 crore were sanctioned. These include the creation of a 100 Million Litres per Day (MLD) Sewage Treatment Plant (STP) in Lucknow, along with Interception and Diversion (I&D) works under the Hybrid Annuity Mode (HAM).
Another notable project includes the I&D of the remaining discharge from Dariyabad Pipalghat and Dariyabad Kakahraghat drains, coupled with the construction of a 50 MLD STP in Prayagraj. This particular venture, costing about Rs. 186.47 crore, will boost the treatment capacity of Naini STP in sewerage district-A, Prayagraj, to 80 MLD.
Additionally, a smaller project of a 6 MLD STP, I&D, and other related works in Hapur was also sanctioned. This initiative aims to halt the flow of Hapur city drain into the River Kali, a tributary of River Ganga. In Bihar, two STPs (5 and 7 MLDs) have been approved, at an estimated cost of Rs. 74.64 crore, to intercept Pipra ghat drain and Chhatiya ghat drain, along with I&D works, for the town of Raxaul. This strategic project will mitigate pollution in Sirsiya River, which originates in Nepal and enters Bihar through Raxaul in the East Champaran district.
For effective water management in urban areas, another project, amounting to around Rs. 20 crore, has been given the go-ahead. This initiative aims to develop 60-70 Urban River Management Plans (URMPs) in two phases. In the first year, 25 URMPs will be prepared, followed by 35 URMPs in the second year. The initial phase will encompass 25 cities from five main stem Ganga basin states, including Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand, and West Bengal.
This project forms part of the River-Cities Alliance (RCA) under the Namami Gange initiative, which provides cities with opportunities to collaborate, exchange best practices, and share knowledge, fostering transformational solutions. Notably, the project will be funded by the World Bank. The RCA, which started with 30 members in 2021, has now expanded to more than 140 members, including international cities.
In a pioneering move, the committee also approved a project to launch an M.Sc. Course in Freshwater Ecology and Conservation at the Ganga Aqualife Conservation Monitoring Centre, Wildlife Institute of India, Dehradun, with an estimated budget of Rs. 6.86 crore over a ten-year period. This ground-breaking proposal aims to train ecologists and field biologists proficient in freshwater ecology to effectively manage India's freshwater resources and biodiversity.
The course will span four semesters and cover various aspects of freshwater ecosystems, their biodiversity, and the impact of drivers on these ecosystems. Additionally, the committee approved a project for the construction of an electric crematorium at Barkola, Kharagpur, West Bengal.
