New Delhi: The 57th Executive Committee (EC) meeting of the National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG), chaired by DG Rajeev Kumar Mital, approved a series of key projects worth ₹1,062 crore. These projects are aimed at enhancing the cleanliness and conservation of the Ganga River and supporting Information, Education, and Communication (IEC) activities for the upcoming Mahakumbh 2025.
Among the approved projects, a significant allocation of ₹350 crore will be directed toward improving drainage and sewage management in Katihar, Bihar. This includes the construction of a 35 MLD (million litres per day) Sewage Treatment Plant (STP) in Rojitpur and a 20.5 MLD STP in Sharifganj, tapping a total of nine major drains. The project will operate under the Design, Build, Operate, and Transfer (DBOT) model, ensuring a 15-year maintenance plan.
In Aligarh, Uttar Pradesh, an ambitious project to intercept, divert, and treat sewage was approved at a cost of ₹488 crore. Two STPs with capacities of 65 MLD and 48 MLD, along with a septage co-treatment facility of 30 KLD (kilolitres per day), will be established. This project will similarly follow the DBOT model and is expected to be completed within 24 months.
Another major initiative was greenlit for Supaul, Bihar, with ₹76.69 crore allocated for constructing three STPs and six interception and diversion structures. This project aims to manage sewage from six critical drains, with long-term operation and maintenance responsibilities.
In Uttarakhand, a ₹2.5 crore project was approved for septage co-treatment at existing STPs, with new facilities to be built in Haridwar, Rishikesh, Srinagar, and Devprayag, contributing to better water and sanitation management.
A key focus of the meeting was preparation for Mahakumbh 2025, with a ₹30 crore IEC-based project approved to enhance cleanliness and public awareness during the religious gathering. The initiative will include murals, wall paintings, and exhibitions showcasing the efforts of the Namami Gange programme. Additionally, 1,500 Ganga Seva Doots will be deployed across the event grounds to promote cleanliness and Ganga conservation.
The EC also approved the restructuring of the Pollution Inventory, Assessment, and Surveillance (PIAS) project to boost technical capacities and improve data collection for pollution control. Furthermore, an Online Continuous Effluent Monitoring System (OCEMS) will be installed to monitor STPs across the Ganga Basin, covering 11 STPs in Uttar Pradesh and 40 in West Bengal, at a total cost of ₹33 crore.
In collaboration with IIT BHU and Denmark, NMCG will roll out the Smart Laboratory for Clean River (SLCR) project to rejuvenate small rivers across the country. With an investment of ₹13 crore, this initiative will significantly enhance river conservation efforts nationwide.
Additionally, the meeting approved a ₹2 crore breeding program for freshwater turtles and gharials at the Kukrail Gharial Rehabilitation Center in Lucknow, as part of the Namami Gange Mission-II. This conservation project aims to restore endangered species and revitalize their populations in the Ganga River.