NMCG Approves 9 Key Projects Worth Rs 265 Crore to Enhance Ganga Ecosystem

The National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG) has given the green light to nine significant projects aimed at reducing pollution and enhancing the ecosystem of the Ganga river, with a total investment of Rs 265 crore. These projects were approved during the 56th executive committee meeting chaired by NMCG Director General Rajeev Kumar Mital in New Delhi.

Eight KLD Faecal Sludge Treatment Plant in Dalmau, Uttar Pradesh

One of the approved projects involves the establishment of an eight kilolitres per day (KLD) capacity Faecal Sludge Treatment Plant in Dalmau, Raebareli, Uttar Pradesh. The plant, valued at Rs 4.40 crore, will be supported by a 15 KW solar power plant and a solar inverter. Operating on a Design, Build, Operate, and Transfer (DBOT) model, the project includes five years of Operation and Maintenance (O&M) to ensure its long-term success.

Pollution Control in East Kali River, Bulandshahr

In Bulandshahr district’s Gulaothi town, another project focuses on preventing pollution in the East Kali River, a tributary of the Ganga. With a budget of Rs 50.98 crore, this initiative involves the interception and diversion of drains and the construction of a sewage treatment plant with a 10 MLD (Million Litres per Day) capacity. This project also includes a 15-year O&M period, ensuring sustained impact.

Arth Ganga Centre and Branding for Maha Kumbh Mela 2025

In preparation for the Maha Kumbh Mela 2025, the committee approved the construction of an Arth Ganga Centre and the branding of the Chheoki Railway Station in Prayagraj, with a budget of Rs 1.80 crore. This initiative aims to raise awareness about the Ganga and the environment while also generating employment opportunities and supporting women’s self-help groups in the Ganga basin.

Restoration Plan for Upper Gomti River Basin Streams

The committee endorsed a restoration plan for lower-order streams and tributaries in the Upper Gomti River Basin through nature-based solutions. This Rs 81.09 lakh project, proposed by the Babasaheb Bhimrao Ambedkar Central University in Lucknow, focuses on rejuvenating streams and tributaries to improve the health of the Ganga.

Renovation of Penstock Gates in Kolkata’s Beliaghata Canal

In West Bengal, the committee approved a Rs 7.11 crore project to install new penstock gates and renovate existing ones along the Beliaghata Circular Canal in Kolkata. The Kolkata Municipal Corporation will oversee the project’s O&M, which will operate under the DBOT model.

Conservation Plan for Udhwa Lake Bird Sanctuary in Jharkhand

A significant development in Jharkhand is the approval of a Rs 25.89 crore Integrated Management Plan (IMP) for the conservation of the Udhwa Lake Bird Sanctuary. This initiative is crucial for the sustainable management of the region’s unique biodiversity.

Renovation of Electric Crematoriums in West Bengal

The committee sanctioned the renovation of electric crematoriums in Santipur, Garulia, and Chakdha municipalities in West Bengal under the World Bank-funded PBIG component. This Rs 2.89 crore project, based on the DBOT model, includes a five-year O&M period.

Munger Sewerage Network and STP Project in Bihar

In Bihar, a major project, the Munger Sewerage Network and Sewage Treatment Plant (STP), was approved with a revised budget of Rs 522.85 crore. This extensive project includes a 30 MLD capacity STP and a 175-km-long sewerage network, with O&M responsibilities transitioning to the state government after 15 years.

Secretariat for Smart Laboratory on Clean Rivers in Varanasi

The establishment of a secretariat for the Smart Laboratory on Clean Rivers (SLCR) at Varanasi, to be executed by IIT-BHU, was also approved. This project aims to leverage global expertise and sustainable practices to rejuvenate rivers across India, balancing environmental, economic, and societal needs.