NMCG Approves ₹400 Crore Projects for Ganga Conservation, Sewage Treatment, and Public Engagement

New Delhi: The 60th Executive Committee Meeting of the National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG), chaired by Director General NMCG, approved a series of major projects aimed at enhancing cleanliness, reducing pollution, and promoting sustainable development along the Ganga River. These projects focus on sewage management, afforestation, and public awareness initiatives to rejuvenate the river.

In a key decision, the committee approved a ₹274.31 crore project to intercept and divert the Durga Drain and construct a 60 MLD (million liters per day) Sewage Treatment Plant (STP) in Varanasi. This initiative, based on the Hybrid Annuity Model, includes the establishment of a 75 MLD main pumping station, ensuring long-term wastewater management and pollution control in the holy city.

A separate ₹127.26 crore project was also sanctioned for Bhadohi, focusing on preventing the flow of untreated sewage into the Varuna River, a major tributary of the Ganga. The initiative will include the construction of three STPs with capacities of 17 MLD, 5 MLD, and 3 MLD, alongside a comprehensive sewer network to capture and treat wastewater from four major drains. This project follows the Design-Build-Operate-Transfer (DBOT) model, ensuring sustainable operation and maintenance for the next 15 years.

In a groundbreaking move, the Executive Committee approved the launch of “Ganga Through the Ages – A Literary Bioscope”, a community-driven project that aims to foster public participation in Ganga conservation through literature, education, and cultural engagement.

This initiative, to be implemented in collaboration with the National Book Trust, will introduce interactive programs such as:

• Ganga Mobile Parikrama – A mobile library initiative promoting Ganga-related literature
• Chaupal Ganga Kinare – Community discussions along the riverbanks
• Ganga Awareness Week – A dedicated campaign to educate citizens on Ganga conservation
• Ganga Ambassador Program – A nationwide drive to engage youth and volunteers in conservation efforts

The project will feature digital storytelling, school workshops, literary sessions, and public exhibitions, inspiring behavioral change and deeper community involvement in river rejuvenation.

The NMCG also approved a drone-based monitoring system in West Bengal under the Namami Gange Mission-II to assess the plantation of saplings along the riverbanks. This initiative will track tree health, develop a digital database, and ensure efficient afforestation as part of Ganga conservation efforts.

The 60th NMCG Executive Committee Meeting reaffirmed the mission’s commitment to Ganga conservation through infrastructural advancements, pollution control measures, and large-scale public engagement.

The meeting was attended by senior officials, including Richa Mishra, Joint Secretary and Financial Adviser, Ministry of Jal Shakti; Nalin Kumar Srivastava, Deputy Director General, NMCG; Brijendra Swaroop, Executive Director (Projects); Shri Anup Kumar Srivastava, Executive Director (Technical); SP Vashishth, Executive Director (Administration); Bhaskar Dasgupta, Executive Director (Finance); Nandini Ghosh, Project Director, West Bengal SPMG; Yogesh Kumar Sagar, Managing Director, Bihar BUIDCO; and Prabhash Kumar, Additional Project Director, Uttar Pradesh SMCG.

With over ₹400 crore in approvals, the NMCG continues to make significant strides in restoring the Ganga River, ensuring its cleanliness, sustainability, and ecological balance for future generations.