Namami Gange Programme

The Namami Gange Programme, launched in 2014 as an integrated conservation mission, aimed to cleanse and rejuvenate the revered Ganga River. This flagship initiative, with a budget of Rs. 20,000 Crores, is administered by the Ministry of Jal Shakti’s Department of Water Resources, River Development, and Ganga Rejuvenation. Its objectives include effective pollution abatement and the conservation of the National River Ganga. The National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG) has made progress in its mission to clean the Ganga River, but challenges remain.

About Namami Gange Programme

The Namami Gange Programme, initiated in 2014, is a flagship project with a budget of Rs. 20,000 Crores, aimed at conserving and rejuvenating the Ganga River. It is administered by the Ministry of Jal Shakti and implemented by the National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG). The program focuses on pollution abatement, conservation, and rejuvenation of the Ganga. A three-tier mechanism is in place for project monitoring, involving national, state, and district-level committees. The program has Entry-Level, Medium-Term, and Long-Term activities to achieve its goals.

Sewage Treatment: A Daunting Task

• Installed Treatment Plants Cover Only 20%: One of the key challenges of the Namami Gange Programme has been addressing sewage pollution. The National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG) has so far managed to install treatment plants capable of treating just 20% of the estimated sewage generated in the five major states along the river.
• Treating 60% of Sewage by 2026: To tackle this issue, the NMCG plans to increase its sewage treatment capacity significantly. It aims to treat 60% of sewage by December 2026, marking a significant improvement from the current capacity.

Key Achievements

• Creating Sewage Treatment Capacity: Under the Namami Gange Programme, 98 sewage projects have been completed in states like Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand, and West Bengal. These projects have been crucial in increasing sewage treatment capacity.
• River-Front Development: Initiatives to construct, modernize, and renovate 267 Ghats/Crematoria and Kunds/Ponds have been set in motion, enhancing the aesthetics of the riverfront.
• River Surface Cleaning: Efforts to clean the river surface by collecting floating solid waste from the Ghats and the river itself have been initiated and implemented at 11 locations.
• Biodiversity Conservation: The programme has also focused on biodiversity conservation, with the development and training of volunteers known as Ganga Praharis to support conservation actions in the field.
• Public Awareness: Engagement with local communities through activities such as tree planting, Ganga Aarti, and art projects by Ganga Praharis and Ganga Doots has helped raise public awareness about the mission.
• Industrial Effluent Monitoring: Regular inspections of Grossly Polluting Industries (GPIs) have been carried out to ensure compliance with environmental norms, further contributing to the program’s goals.
• International Collaboration: The Namami Gange initiative has attracted international expertise in river rejuvenation, bringing together the best available knowledge and resources from around the world.
• Improvements in Water Quality: A significant achievement of the Namami Gange Programme is the improvement in the river’s water quality. As of July 2023, the STPs capable of treating 2,665 MLD have been commissioned and are operational. Consequently, the river’s water quality now conforms to prescribed limits for primary bathing water quality. An encouraging sign of this progress is the increase in the dolphin population along the Ganga, from 2,000 to approximately 4,000, indicating a healthier ecosystem.

Challenges

• Delayed Plant Commissioning: The program encountered delays in commissioning several sewage treatment plants due to issues with land acquisition. These delays hindered the timely implementation of critical projects.
• Revision of Detailed Project Reports (DPRs): In many instances, Detailed Project Reports (DPRs) required revision. DPRs play a pivotal role in project execution, outlining necessary steps and the roles of various agencies, including the Centre, State, and private contractors.
• Funding Shortfalls: Despite the ambitious Rs. 20,000 crore mission, the government has, so far, given in-principle approval for projects worth Rs. 37,396 crore. However, only Rs. 14,745 crore has been released to states for infrastructure work as of June 2023, indicating funding shortfalls.

UPSC Mains Questions

1. How the challenges do faced by the Namami Gange Programme impact its overall success in cleaning the Ganga River?
2. Discuss the role of international collaboration in the Namami Gange Programme and its contribution to river rejuvenation efforts.
3. Explain the significance of the rise in the dolphin population in the Ganga River as an indicator of improved water quality. What other ecological impacts can be expected from these improvements?
4. Evaluate the effectiveness of public awareness campaigns conducted under the Namami Gange Programme in garnering support for the mission and driving behavioral change among communities along the Ganga River.