National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG)

The National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG) has introduced new regulations allowing the discharge of treated sewage and effluent into water bodies, revising previous norms.

New Powers and Regulations of NMCG:

• NMCG, under the Ministry of Jal Shakti, has amended the River Ganga (Rejuvenation, Protection and Management) Authorities Order, 2016.
• The amendment permits the discharge of treated sewage that conforms to norms set by the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986, into rivers, canals, or water bodies.
• This marks a shift from the previous regulation that prohibited any discharge into the River Ganga and its tributaries.
• NMCG Director General emphasized that only treated sewage meeting prescribed standards might be released after considering direct reuse options.

About National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG):

Background:

• Established as a society in 2011 under the Societies Registration Act 1860.
• Functions under the aegis of the Ministry of Jal Shakti and governed by the National Ganga Council since 2016.
• A key player in the Namami Gange Programme, focusing on preventing untreated sewage from entering the river.

Achievements and Progress:

• In the states along Ganga’s course, 11,765 million litres per day (MLD) of sewage is generated.
• Sewage Treatment Plants (STPs) commissioned to treat 2,665 MLD of sewage, with significant progress between 2014-2023.
• Plans to increase treatment capacity to 7,000 MLD by 2026, with states also contributing.
• Significant infrastructure investment, with in-principle approval for projects worth ₹37,396 crore.

Environmental Impact and Water Quality:

• Improvement in water quality evidenced by the increase in dolphin population in the Ganga.
• Enhanced presence of Indian carp, a species that thrives in clean water.
• The Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) assesses water quality based on dissolved oxygen (DO), biochemical oxygen demand (BOD), and faecal coliform levels.
• NMCG plans to develop a water quality index, similar to the air quality index, for better assessment of river water quality.

Ref: Source