Centre approves 26 projects worth Rs 2,154.28 crore under Namami Gange project

Centre approves 26 projects worth Rs 2,154.28 crore under Namami Gange project

Mumbai, April, 9: The National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG) had allocated Rs 2,154.28 for 26 projects under the Namami Ganga programme to set u 13 new sewage treatment (नाले के पानी की सफाई) for plants. Earlier, the NMCG had set up sewage treatment for plants (STPs) and developed
sewage network in Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Jharkhand and Delhi. For setting up 13 new STPs, 188 million litres daily (MLD) capacity will be created for sewage treatment. According to the Tribune News report, the centre has allocated Rs 875 crore for sewage treatment plant construction and upgradations of old plants, Rs 260 crore for cremation hats, Rs 50 crore for the river front development project, Rs 22 crore for rural cleanliness and Rs 35 crore foe sapling plantation(पौधा रोपण) . The authority had decided sewage network for 145.05 in length through five projects in Delhi, Haridwar and Bihar.

A division bench of Justices Alok Singh and Rajiv Sharma noted (उल्लेख किया) that the Ganga and Yamuna rivers are losing their value as spiritual rivers. The order passed by Uttrakhand high court will have effects that are not only limited to humans but will also impact the habitat.

For the first time, the Uttrakhand High Court on March 21 ruled out that the Ganga and Yamuna are legal and living bodies. The ruling means that the Ganga and Yamuna rivers will be treated as humans and if anyone is found polluting the rivers, it would be equivalent to harming humans.  The court said that the move was to ensure the “preservation and conservation (संरक्षण और संरक्षण) of the two rivers and to protect the recognition and faith of society”.

“All the Hindus have deep ‘astha’ in the Ganga and the Yamuna and they collectively connect with these rivers.The rivers are central to the existence of half of the Indian population and their health and well-being. They have provided both physical and spiritual sustenance to all of us from time immemorial,” the judges said.

The court named the director of Namami Gange, who also serves as the chief secretary of Uttarakhand and the advocate general of the state, as parents of the rivers. The duo will deal with all the legal formalities and functions related to the Ganga and Yamuna.

National Mission for Clean Ganga(NMCG)

National Mission for Clean Ganga(NMCG) was registered as a society on 12th August 2011 under the Societies Registration Act 1860.It acted as implementation arm of National Ganga River Basin Authority(NGRBA) which was constituted under the provisions of the Environment (Protection) Act (EPA),1986. NGRBA has since been dissolved with effect from the 7th October 2016, consequent to constitution of National Council for Rejuvenation, Protection and Management of River Ganga (referred as National Ganga Council) vide notification no. S.O. 3187(E) dt. 7th October 2016 under EPA 1986.


The Act envisages five tier structure at national, state and district level to take measures for prevention, control and abatement of environmental pollution in river Ganga and to ensure continuous adequate flow of water so as to rejuvenate(फिर से युवा करना) the river Ganga as below;

1. National Ganga Council under chairmanship of Hon’ble Prime Minister of India.
2. Empowered Task Force (ETF) on river Ganga under chairmanship of Hon’ble Union Minister of Water Resources, River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation.
3. National Mission for Clean Ganga(NMCG).
4. State Ganga Committees and
5. District Ganga Committees in every specified district abutting river Ganga and its tributaries in the states.

    NMCG has a two tier management structure and comprises of Governing Council and Executive Committee. Both of them are headed by Director General, NMCG. Executive Committee has been authorized to accord approval for all projects up to Rs.1000 crore. Similar to structure at national level, State Programme Management Groups (SPMGs) acts as implementing arm of State Ganga Committees. Thus the newly created structure attempts to bring all stakeholders on one platform to take a holistic approach towards the task of Ganga cleaning and rejuvenation.

     The Director General(DG) of NMCG is a Additional Secretary in Government of India. For effective implementation of the projects under the overall supervision of NMCG, the State Level Program Management Groups (SPMGs) are, also headed by senior officers of the concerned States.