28-04-2025
‘UP treating 4,800 MLD sewage discharge daily to keep rivers clean'
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Lucknow: Additional chief secretary, department of Namami Gange & Rural Water Supply, GoUP, Anurag Srivastava, on Monday said UP was treating 4,800 MLD of the total of 5,500 MLD sewage discharge daily to check river pollution.
"Efforts are on to treat the remaining sewage discharge. This way we have been able to tackle the quality of water in our rivers," Srivastava said at the TOI River Dialogues.
In a fireside chat on 'Revitalising Rivers: A Collective Responsibility', Srivastava said: "For quality water, we are tapping on all sewers. We are also using drone technology to identify such drains that tend to overflow in certain seasons so that we can check the issue."
Calling rivers a moving asset, Srivastava said, "Since rivers are dynamic, they must be managed from a different perspective. It needs independent planning and a different way of implementation. We have come up with a comprehensive policy, but a lot more needs to be done."
by Taboola
by Taboola
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Shedding light on Ganga, its tributaries, and other smaller streams, Srivastava said, "Groundwater is naturally part of the river and its tributaries. One season, the groundwater gets charged from river, and the other season, the river gets charged from groundwater."
Regarding the quantity of river water, Srivastava said in the basin area where there is proper afforestation, some water enters the ground while some may flow across the surface.
"However, if a bed has improper utilisation and has a steep flow of water, the quantity of water will be affected. A plan is made, but we will have to prepare proper SOPs as a guiding force and not a regulatory force. We are trying to involve major stakeholders for maximum benefit," Srivastava said.
Applauding the role of non-profits in the rejuvenation of dying rivers, Srivastava said, "A lot still needs to be done. In UP, there are different zones. For instance, the groundwater is in abundance in the Terai region. Even in the Ganga-Yamuna central area, groundwater is there. But the south of Yamuna faces a severe water crisis. Water depletion issues come from this area and managing this is an uphill task."
For this, Srivastava said efforts for a decentralised system are being worked upon, which will be very beneficial.
"We are planning for a continuous flow of water that was somehow lost due to urbanisation. We also need to engage the community," he said.
Throwing light on the restoration of ponds, Srivastava said, "Water bodies are being tagged. We identify ponds, free them from encroachment, and then restore them. Good work has been done under the Amrit Sarovar scheme in UP. It will take some time but will have a long-lasting effect," he said.
During the event, he apprised the audience of the most recent award the department received: the Prime Minister Award for Excellence in Public Administration in the 'Innovation – State Category' for his leadership in integrating solar energy into water supply schemes. Under this, 80% of the state's 41,539 Jal Jeevan Mission projects are now solar-powered, collectively generating 900 MW of electricity daily. This shift has led to more than 50% cost savings in rural water supply and is projected to save the state nearly ₹1 lakh crore over 30 years, while also cutting carbon emissions by 13 lakh metric tonnes annually.
