The Prime Minister has inaugurated six significant projects in Uttarakhand under the famed Namami Gange Mission. These developments are expected to bolster sewage treatment practices, and contribute to Ganga rejuvenation.
Details on the Six Mega Projects
The six paramount projects consist of Sewage Treatment Plants (STPs), erected in Haridwar, Rishikesh, Muni ki Reti, Chorpani, and Badrinath. Of notable mention is also the Jagjeetpur, Haridwar project, which marks the successful completion of the first-ever sewage project under the Hybrid Annuity Model–an innovative public-private partnership.
The Hybrid Annuity Model
In the Hybrid Annuity Model, the government fronts 40% of the project cost, effectively kick-starting development initiatives. The responsibility of the remaining 60% falls on the participating private entity. A testament to its success, the Chandreshwar Nagar STP project in Muni ki Reti town stands as the country’s first four-story STP. This breakthrough design offers a strategic solution when the availability of land is constrained.
Significance of the STP Projects
These initiatives are of immense importance: all 30 STP projects in Uttarakhand (100%) now handle pollution from 17 Ganga towns situated near the river Ganga, marking a significant milestone. It should be noted that the Haridwar-Rishikesh zone alone contributes about 80% of wastewater load to the River Ganga.
About The Namami Gange Programme
Endorsed as a ‘Flagship Programme’ by the Union Government in June 2014, the Namami Gange Programme aims to abate pollution effectively and conserve and rejuvenate the National River Ganga. The Department of Water Resources, River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation, Ministry of Jal Shakti oversees its operation.
Implementation is done by the National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG), and its sister organizations, the State Program Management Groups (SPMGs). NMCG is also the implementation arm of the National Ganga Council. The Programme has a focus on several areas, including sewage treatment infrastructure, industrial effluent monitoring, river-front development, river-surface cleaning, biodiversity, afforestation, and public awareness.
The programme operates with a Rs. 20,000-crore, centrally-funded, non-lapsable corpus, comprising nearly 288 projects.
Highlights from the Inauguration Event
At the inaugural event, the first museum dedicated to Ganga, called Ganga Avalokan, was also unveiled. Located at Chandi Ghat, Haridwar, the museum brings to light the culture, biodiversity, and rejuvenation efforts undertaken for the Ganga River. Further, a book titled ‘Rowing down the Ganges’ co-published by the National Mission for Clean Ganga & Wildlife Institute of India was introduced. The event also marked the unveiling of the logo of Jal Jeevan Mission and ‘Margdarshika for Gram Panchayats and Paani Samitis under Jal Jeevan Mission’.
The Way Forward
The government’s Namami Gange Programme serves to energize India’s commitment to revitalizing the Ganga. A crucial initial step in this direction is to construct critical sewage infrastructure at pollution hotspots along the River Ganga and its tributaries.
