Latest news with #NamamiGangeProgramme
Hindustan Times
07-05-2025
- General
- Hindustan Times
Gomti's revival drifts off course as Dist Ganga Committee meets after two months
Amid the search for concrete steps to improve the Gomti's deteriorating health, the District Ganga Committee (DGC) meeting held here on Tuesday turned out to be a big disappointment. The committee met after a gap of two months. (Mushtaq Ali/HT) Contrary to the expectations, the meeting, chaired by chief development officer (CDO) Ajay Jain in the absence of the Lucknow district magistrate, failed to come up with any effective plan to curb the flow of around 280 MLD (million litres per day) of untreated sewage into the river. Its focus was rather on planning new gateways and pathways in the name of beautification. Faecal coliform in the river, at Kudiaghat in the state capital, is 40,000 MPN (most probable number)/100ml against the maximum permissible limit of 2,500 MPN/100ml, according to the latest data available with experts. At Nishatganj bridge and Pipraghat, it was 49,000 and 79,000 MPN/100ml in March. Despite the high pollution levels, the committee, on Tuesday, confined itself to discussions only on the construction of gateways and a mandap on the Gomti. There was no dialogue even on deteriorating dissolved oxygen (DO) levels—a key marker for aquatic life—which drops from 10.7 mg/L at Manjhighat to just 2.9 mg/L at Kudiaghat, and then to a deadly 1.6 mg/L at Pipraghat. Biochemical oxygen demand (BOD), which is an indicator for organic pollution, rises from 3.10 at Manjhighat to 8.20 at Kudiaghat and peaks to 12 at Pipraghat — levels far beyond safe limits for human use. Flows 960 km through 16 dists In 2014, when the Central government set up the Namami Gange Programme a sum of ₹ 20,000 crore was sanctioned for the rejuvenation and conservation of the Ganga. Also called National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG), its state units are headed by chief secretaries of the respective states. At the district level, the programme's implementation is done by District Ganga Committees that are headed by district magistrates with DFOs as their member secretary. The Gomti also comes under the scope of the programme since it is a major tributary of the Ganga. It originates from Madhotanda in Puranpur block of Pilibhit and meets the Ganga at Kaithi Ghat in Ghazipur. It covers a distance of 960 km and passes through 16 districts. DGC planning Gomti Aarti, beautification When concrete mechanisms to conserve and preserve the Gomti did not evoke the desired results, the district committee, in its meeting held on Tuesday, looked beyond sewage treatment plant (STPs) and discussed appealing to the religious sentiments of people when they ask them to keep the Gomti clean. CDO Ajay Jain was the nodal officer who chaired the meeting and divisional forest officer (DFO) Sitanshu Pandey, the member secretary, was among those present. Both officials did the icebreaking by briefing members about the formation of Gomti Task Force and how the district administration was always relentlessly working for the conservation of the river. During the meeting, the irrigation department was requested to find a particular location along the ghat where a grand gateway could be constructed and a mandap could be built for daily Gomti Aarti on the lines of the Ganga Aarti in Varanasi and Haridwar. For the construction of the gateway and 'aarti' mandap, four places were identified. They are: Kudiya Ghat, Ghaila Ghat, Laxman Mela Ground and another one near the G20 ghat. While the irrigation department has been tasked with identifying the area, PWD officials were asked to send the estimate regarding this, which would be sent to the State Mission for Clean Ganga for its approval and funding. Jaldoot and a member of the DGC NK Verma claimed that the idea of a gateway was proposed by him, and it was included in the minutes of the meeting. The DFO said a massive tree plantation would be taken up all along the river ghats and several departments would be allocated saplings. It was also discussed that Ganga village committee meeting halls would be constructed in places from where the Gomti flows so that locals willing to render their services to keep the river clean could hold their periodical meetings there. Meanwhile, the DFO said the Gomti Task Force was bound to play an important role in conserving the river and the district committee would help in spreading public awareness. The task force, a specialised unit by Indian army's territorial wing, has been formed under the aegis of Namami Gange with approval from the Union ministry of defence. Its objective is to rejuvenate and protect the Gomti. Its responsibilities are monitoring the pollution level in the river, spreading public awareness, patrolling the riverbanks and ghats so that no waste is littered on the river, stabilising riverbanks and to seek assistance during natural disasters.
Hindustan Times
02-05-2025
- Business
- Hindustan Times
Ghaziabad: Project revised for 7 untapped drains flowing in Hindon
Ghaziabad: A project for tapping of seven untapped drains flowing into and polluting river Hindon in Ghaziabad is being revised and would now require funds from the Centre's Namami Gange Programme. Officials of UP Jal Nigam, agency preparing a revised detailed project report (DPR), said that the initial DPR was of about ₹422 crore while the project as per revised DPR estimates may involve a cost of about ₹650 crore. Overall, there are nine untapped drains flowing intor Hindon under the municipal corporation area namely -- the Karhera drain, Arthala drain, Kaila Bhatta drain, Nandgram drain, Hindon Vihar drain, city forest drain, Sarvodaya (Pratap Vihar) drain, Rahul Vihar drain, and Dasna drain. Together, these drains have an untreated discharge of about 149.97MLD (million litres per day) which goes to river Hindon and adding to pollution. Officials said that a project under the Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation (AMRUT) 2.0 scheme is already in place for tapping of two drains – Arthala and Karhera – along with construction of 68MLD capacity sewage treatment plant at Karhera in Sahibabad. The two drains have a discharge of about 10.13MLD. The project has a completion timeline of June, 2026. Officials said that about 45% of work is complete, and the project covers 10 of the corporation's residential wards. This project will lay down 145km of sewer network and will cover 67,669 households which did not have provision of sewers. The project was sanctioned in December, 2023. 'For the rest seven drains, a revised DPR for interception and diversion of drains, is being prepared, and it is likely to get complete soon. The revised DPR, being prepared by UP Jal Nigam, will be sent for approval and would require funds from the Namami Gange programme. The previous DPR which was put up for funds under AMRUT 2.0 could not go through due to issues,' said chief development officer Abhinav Gopal. UP Jal Nigam officials said that the revised DPR for seven untapped drains also include construction of three STPs, with each having an estimated capacity of 50-60MLD. These STPs are proposed at Dundahera, at city forest, and Siddharth Vihar. 'We are expecting that the revised DPR will be completed in next 15-20 days. Once the funds are approved and work awarded, the project will require about one-and-half to two years to get complete. The revised DPR will also have cost escalation. The project is being prepared to prevent pollution to river Hindon and under directions given by the National Green Tribunal,' said UP Jal Nigam's executive engineer (urban division) Arun Pratap Singh. Officials said that the initial DPR for tapping of seven drains was prepared and funds were sought from AMRUT 2.0 scheme. Since, the scheme requires a number of households to be benefitted, it could not go through, and a revised DPR is being prepared so that funds can be procured from the Namami Gange programme instead, officials said. The initial DPR was for five years of maintenance while the revised DPR will have a maintenance for 15 years, hence an escalated cost, they added. 'The untapped drains have been flowing in river Hindon for years now and taking a heavy toll in terms of pollution. The ongoing projects will require several years to become fully operational. Apart from this, there is urgent need to devise a comprehensive plan for reviving the natural flow of the river,' said Sushil Raghav, a city-based environmentalist.
The Hindu
30-04-2025
- General
- The Hindu
Breathing life into Vembanad lake
Vembanad, the longest lake in India and the largest in Kerala, is gasping for breath. The 96.5 km-long water body spans the districts of Alappuzha, Kottayam, and Ernakulam and forms part of the Vembanad-Kol wetland system, a Ramsar site. Six major rivers drain into the lake, which accounts for around 30% of the State's total surface water resource. Over the past century, the lake has shrunk significantly due to human-induced interventions, land reclamation, and natural sedimentation, according to experts. Though vital to the region's ecology and agriculture, it faces severe threats from pollution, eutrophication, unsustainable agricultural practices, and invasive weed proliferation. A few years ago, a study by the Kerala University of Fisheries and Ocean Studies revealed alarming levels of plastic waste, silt, and other sediments in the lake. According to a recent expert committee report prepared as part of the Vembanad Lake Rejuvenation Project, an ambitious joint effort of the Alappuzha district administration and the Local Self Government Department, the lake's surface area has shrunk mainly due to land encroachment. Citing previous studies, the report notes that the surface area of the lake diminished by 27% between 1917 and 1990. The drastic reduction in not only area, but also depth, has significantly reduced the lake's floodwater retention capacity and impaired its critical ecosystem services, including water purification, biodiversity support, and sediment transport. The unchecked proliferation of water hyacinths has further worsened the situation, contributing to dangerously high levels of chemical oxygen demand and biological oxygen demand. As a result, the fish catch has declined by about 66% over the last three decades. The efforts to rejuvenate the lake are being spearheaded by Alappuzha District Collector Alex Varghese. The initiative draws 'inspiration from the Namami Gange Programme'. It gained momentum on October 28, 2024 when a workshop was held focusing on addressing the challenges of restoring the water body. Eight subcommittees — agriculture, fisheries, water resources, tourism, biodiversity, environment and sanitation, disaster management and climate change, and revenue — were constituted. A ₹188.25 crore comprehensive five-year plan was formulated and recently submitted to Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan. The estimate may be revised based on the detailed study on water resources and irrigation projects being conducted by the Centre for Water Resources Development and Management. The short-term goals include the removal of plastic waste, construction of bio-shields to protect farmlands, fish ranching, weed eradication, and the construction of 31 bio bunds, each 1 km long in 31 grama panchayats. The long-term targets include dredging the lake bed to increase its water-holding capacity, promoting organic farming to prevent pollution from pesticides and chemicals, conserving the flora and fauna, establishing sewage and faecal sludge treatment plants in flood-prone Kuttanad, manufacturing value-added products from water hyacinth, and boosting tourism and fish yield. While the report is under the State government's consideration, 28.72 tonnes of plastic waste and a greater quantity of water hyacinth were removed from the lake in recent mega cleaning drives conducted under the aegis of the Alappuzha district administration. Rejuvenating the lake is critical for enhancing the region's resilience to climate change impacts such as erratic rainfall, sea-level rise, and intensified flooding events. However, it is easier said than done. For instance, houseboats are among the top sources of pollution in the lake. While the report calls for enacting strict laws against unauthorised vessels, previous efforts to rein in illegal houseboat operations have been largely ineffective. Another significant hurdle is land encroachment. The expert committee report notes that reclaiming encroached areas 'necessitates strong political support and decisive action.' Since Kuttanad is part of the Vembanad wetland ecosystem, the lake's restoration should be linked to the revival of the entire Kuttanad region. Coordinated collaboration among various stakeholders, including local communities, district administrations, and different levels of governance, will be key to overcoming these complex challenges and will require support from the Union and State governments.
Indian Express
23-04-2025
- Business
- Indian Express
Why Jal Jeevan Mission is must-read for UPSC Exam – From scheme to constitutional context
Take a look at the essential events, concepts, terms, quotes, or phenomena every day and brush up your knowledge. Here's your knowledge nugget for today. Knowledge Nugget: Jal Jeevan Mission (Relevance: Government policies and schemes are an important part of the UPSC CSE exam, and previous years' questions highlight their significance. In this regard, knowing about the schemes that are in the news becomes important for the UPSC exam. In the context of Jal Jeevan Mission, it also becomes important to know what provisions are provided in the Indian constitution with regard to the 'water'.) Why in the news? The Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM), the government's flagship scheme to provide tap connections to rural households, has encountered budgeting difficulties. The Jal Shakti Ministry had requested a staggering Rs 2.79 lakh crore from the Centre to complete the remaining 25% of its target by December 2028. However, in a setback for the mission, an expenditure panel, which appraises projects, has approved only half of the funds proposed by the ministry. Key Takeaways : 1. The Jal Jeevan Mission, launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on August 15, 2019, aimed to provide functional household tap connections (FHTC) to about 16 crore rural households to achieve saturation coverage by 2024. 2. Over a little more than five years, only 75 per cent of the target could be achieved, and the remaining 4 crore tap connections are proposed to be installed by extending the mission by four years till December 31, 2028. 3. While the Jal Shakti Ministry demanded Rs 2.79 lakh crore Central funds to complete the project, the Expenditure Secretary-chaired Expenditure Finance Committee (EFC), which appraises projects valued over Rs 500 crore, met March 13 and recommended only Rs 1.51 lakh crore, The Indian Express has learnt. The EFC also reduced the mission's overall outlay by Rs 41,000 crore to Rs 8.69 lakh crore, against Rs 9.10 lakh crore sought by the Jal Shakti Ministry. 4. Notably, the Centre and states fund the JJM on a 50:50 basis. A reduction in the Centre's share means that states could be left with a significantly larger bill. Other Government Schemes related to water As among the other schemes of the Jal Shakti Ministry, Namami Gange and the interlinking of rivers are important schemes. Therefore, it is important to not only know about these schemes but also understand what the interlinking of rivers is. Furthermore, previously a preliminary question was also asked on the Godavari and Krishna Rivers interlinking. Therefore, it becomes important to know about the Ken-Betwa river linking project. Namami Gange Programme 1. 'Namami Gange Programme', is an Integrated Conservation Mission, approved as 'Flagship Programme' by the Union Government in June 2014 to accomplish the twin objectives of effective abatement of pollution, conservation and rejuvenation of National River Ganga. 2. Main pillars of the Namami Gange Programme are:- (i) Sewerage Treatment Infrastructure (ii) River-Front Development (iii) River-Surface Cleaning (iv) Bio-Diversity (v) Afforestation (vi) Public Awareness (vii) Industrial Effluent Monitoring (viii)Ganga Gram Interlinking of rivers 1. River interlinking is a large-scale water management strategy involving human-induced water redistribution from surplus water areas to areas experiencing shortages. 2. The strategy involves connecting two or more basins through a network of canals, reservoirs, pipelines, etc. These inter-basin water transfer (IBWT) projects aim to enhance irrigation potential and flood control and improve water supply in drought-prone areas. Ken-Betwa Link Project 1. On December 25, 2024, Prime Minister Narendra Modi laid the foundation stone of the Ken-Betwa Link Project (KBLP) in Madhya Pradesh's Khajuraho, on the 100th birth anniversary of former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee. 2. The project aims to provide irrigation to Bundelkhand, one of India's most drought-affected regions. In this project, surplus water from the Ken River in Madhya Pradesh will be transferred to the Betwa River in Uttar Pradesh. Both of these rivers are right-bank tributaries of the Yamuna River. Yamuna river Yamuna is a tributary of River Ganga. It has four main tributaries in the Himalayan region: Rishi Ganga, Hanuman Ganga, Tons, and Giri. In the plains, the main tributaries are Hindon, Chambal, Sind, Betwa and Ken. Tons is the largest tributary of Yamuna. Other small tributaries of the Yamuna River include the Uttangan, Sengar and the Rind. 3. The Union Cabinet had approved Rs 44,605 crore for this project. The KBLP has two phases. The Daudhan Dam complex, Ken-Betwa Link Canal (length 221 km), and its subsidiary units will be built in the first phase. Phase II will have three components: the Lower Orr Dam construction, the Bina Complex Project, and the Kotha Barrage. 4. The project passes through Panna Tiger Reserve. There are concerns about the submergence of a part of this critical tiger habitat. Two states, two rivers and a link 5. Notably, it is the first project under the National Perspective Plan for the interlinking of rivers, which was prepared in 1980. This plan has 16 projects under its peninsular component, including the KBLP. Apart from this, 14 links are proposed under the Himalayan rivers development plan. Name State benefitted Mahanadi (Manibhadra) – Godavari (Dowlaiswaram) link Andhra Pradesh and Odisha Godavari (Polavaram) – Krishna (Vijayawada) link Andhra Pradesh Godavari (Inchampalli) – Krishna (Nagarjunasagar) link Telangana Krishna (Almatti) – Pennar link Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka Par-Tapi-Narmada link Maharashtra and Gujarat Bedti – Varda link Karnataka BEYOND THE NUGGET: What does the Constitution of India say on water? 📌Right to Water as a Fundamental Right: In India, the constitutional right to access to clean drinking water can be drawn from the right to food, the right to a clean environment and the right to health, all of which have been protected under the broad heading of the Right to Life, guaranteed under Article 21 of the Constitution. Notably, In Narmada Bachao Andolan v. Union of India (2000) case, the Supreme Court observed that 'Water is the basic need for the survival of human beings and is part of the right to life and human rights as enshrined in Article 21 of the Constitution of India….and the right to healthy environment and to sustainable development are fundamental human rights implicit in the right to 'life'. In the State of Karnataka v State of Andhra Pradesh (2000) case, the Court held that 'the right to water is a right to life, and thus a fundamental right.' 📌Article 39 (b) (Directive Principles of State Policy) mandates that 'the State shall, in particular, direct its policy towards securing that the ownership and control of the material resources of the community are so distributed as best to sub serve the common good.' 📌Article 48A (Directive Principles of State Policy) provides that 'The State shall endeavour to protect and improve the environment and to safeguard the forests and wild life of the country.' 📌Article 51A(g) (Fundamental Duties) specifically deals with the fundamental duty with respect to Environment. It states that ' It shall be the duty of every citizen of India to protect and improve the natural environment including forests, lakes, rivers and wild life, and to have compassion for living creatures. 📌Article 262 talks about the 'Adjudication of disputes relating to waters of inter-State rivers or river valleys.' It provides, clause (1) Parliament may by law provide for the adjudication of any dispute or complaint with respect to the use, distribution or control of the waters of, or in, any inter-State river or river valley. clause (2) Notwithstanding anything in this Constitution, Parliament may by law provide that neither the Supreme Court nor any other court shall exercise jurisdiction in respect of any such dispute or complaint as is referred to in clause (1). Using the powers given by this article, Parliament enacted the Inter-State River Water Disputes Act, 1956, to deal with disputes. Ministry of Jal Shakti Ministry of Jal Shakti was formed in May 2019 by merging of two ministries- Ministry of Water Resources, River Development & Ganga Rejuvenation and Ministry of Drinking Water and Sanitation. The ambit of the ministry encompasses issues ranging from international and inter-states water disputes. While forming the new ministry government claimed that 'All the water related works has been merged under one ministry,' 📌Entry 17, State List (List II), Seventh Schedule of Indian constitution says, 'Water, that is to say, water supplies, irrigation and canals, drainage and embankments, water storage and water power subject to the provisions of entry 56 of List I.' It means that states have the authority to legislate on water-related issues such as irrigation, water supply, canals, and embankments within their territory. 📌Entry 56, (List I), Seventh Schedule of Indian constitution provides, 'Regulation and development of inter-State rivers and river valleys to the extent to which such regulation and development under the control of the Union is declared by Parliament by law to be expedient in the public interest.' It gives the Union Government power for the regulation and development of such rivers if declared necessary by Parliament. Consider the following statements: 1. The Jal Jeevan Mission was launched in 2022. 2. Water is a matter included in the State list in the seventh schedule of the Indian Constitution. Which of the statements given above is/are correct? (a) 1 only (b) 2 only (c) Both 1 and 2 (d) Neither 1 nor 2
Hans India
22-04-2025
- Politics
- Hans India
Bihar entrepreneur sets up unique 'Modi Memento Museum' with 56 auctioned souvenirs
New Delhi: In a remarkable display of patriotism and innovation, a young entrepreneur from Motihari, Bihar has established the state's first-ever Modi Memento Museum, showcasing 56 exclusive souvenirs once received by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The initiative has become the talk of the town, and even beyond for its inspiring origin and unique tribute to the Prime Minister's campaign for a clean Ganga under the Namami Gange Programme. Back in 2019, Prime Minister Modi launched an initiative to support the Namami Gange Mission by auctioning various mementos and gifts he had received during public functions and official events. The proceeds from the auction were pledged to fund the cleaning and rejuvenation of the sacred Ganga River. Inspired by the cause, Yamuna Sikariya, a young industrialist from Motihari, actively participated in the auction and went on to purchase 56 mementos, each a symbol of recognition and appreciation given to Prime Minister Modi for his service and achievements. What followed was even more unique, he created a full-fledged Modi Memento Museum with the items on display and the facility being open to the public. 'The work done by our Prime Minister deserves to be remembered and celebrated. This museum is living proof of that. It is the only place in Bihar where people can see all 56 mementos received by PM Modi in one place,' said Yamuna Sikariya. The museum has since become a point of inspiration for visitors from across Bihar and neighbouring states, who come to see the items and leave with renewed motivation. Rashi Kumari, a visitor, shared her thoughts, saying, 'It is motivational to see all these mementos as they inspire us to do good work for our nation. The things people travel far to see, we now have right here in Motihari. It's exciting.' Keshav Kumar, another visitor, echoed the sentiment, 'We feel so proud. It is a matter of pride for Champaran also. Seeing these mementos fills me with immense pride. PM Modi is taking the nation towards progress, and it is truly praiseworthy.'
