Understanding ‘Namami Gange’

Union Budget 2014-15 has taken cognizance of the substantial amount of money spent in the conservation and improvement of the Ganga, which has a very special place in a collective consciousness of this country. However, the efforts are not yielded desired results because of the lack of concerted efforts by all the stakeholders.

Accordingly, an Integrated Ganga Conservation Mission called “Namami Gange” has been proposed to be set up and a sum of Rs. 2,037 crore has been set aside for this purpose. In addition a sum of Rs. 100 crore has been allocated for developments of Ghats and beautification of River Fronts at Kedarnath, Haridwar, Kanpur, Varanasi, Allahabad, Patna and Delhi in the current financial year.

Accordingly, Namami Gange approaches Ganga Rejuvenation by consolidating the existing ongoing efforts and planning for a concrete action plan for future. The interventions at Ghats and River fronts will facilitate better citizen connect and set the tone for river centric urban planning process.

Recognizing the multi-sectoral, multi-dimensional and multi-stakeholder nature of the Ganga Rejuvenation challenge, the key Ministries comprising of (a) WR, RD&GR, (b) Environment, Forests & Climate Change, (c) Shipping, (d) Tourism, (e) Urban Development, (f) Drinking Water and Sanitation and Rural Development have been working together since June, 2014 to arrive at an action plan.

The concerned Ministers have nominated a Group of Secretaries to develop a draft action plan and have held periodical meetings to review the progress and provide guidance. The Group of Secretaries submitted its initial report on 21st July, 2014 and after taking into account the feedback received from the Ministers, the final report has been submitted on 28th August, 2014. While the report is being examined in the Ministry, NMCG has been working in parallel on a draft strategy taking into account all these developments.

As already identified in the report of the GoS, the long-term vision will emanate from the Ganga River Basin Management Plan being prepared by the Consortium of 7 IITs, first version of which is likely to be available by the end of this year. On a medium term basis, certain interventions both infrastructure and non-infrastructure need to be introduced to set the tone for implementation of long term vision as also take up so called “no regret” activities in the interim. Following are proposed to be taken up under Namami Gange:

Nirmal Dhara- ensuring sustainable municipal sewage management

Project prioritization in coordination with Ministry of Urban Development.

Incentive for states to take up projects

on Ganga Main-stem by providing an additional share of central grants for sewerage infrastructure.

Uniform standards for both MoUD scheme and Namami Gange programme, 10 years mandatory O&M by the same service provider at par with NGRBA programme and PPP, Mandatory reuse of treated water

Expanding coverage of sewerage infrastructure in 118 urban habitations on banks of Ganga- estimated cost by MoUD is Rs 51000 Crore

Nirmal Dhara- managing sewage from Rural Areas

Mo DWS scheme for all Ganga bank Gram Panchayts (1632) free from open defecation by 2022, at a cost of Rs 1700 Crores as central share

Nirmal Dhara- managing industrial discharge

Making ZLD mandatory

Rationalized water tariff to encourage reuse

Real time water quality monitoring

Aviral Dhara

Enforcing River Regulatory Zones on Ganga Banks

Rational agricultural practices, efficient irrigation methods

Restoration and conservation of wetlands

Ensuring ecological rejuvenation by conservation of aquatic life and biodiversity

Promotion of Tourism and Shipping in a rational and sustainable manner

Knowledge Management on Ganga through Ganga Knowledge Centre

However, to control the spread of pollution and to contain it in manageable limits certain interventions would be necessary in short term. Group of Secretaries under guidance of Hon’ble Ministers has identified following activities:

• Scheme for rehabilitation and up-gradation of existing STPs along Ganga.
• Ensuring 100 per cent sewerage infrastructure in identified town alongside Ganga.
• In situ sewage treatment in open drains.
• Support for preparation of DPRs.
• River Front Management for Ghat’s developments in selected cities and towns.
• Industrial pollution abatement at Kanpur on priority.
• Action Plan for Char Dham Yatra –Public amenities, waste disposal and sanitation.
• Capacity building of urban local bodies.
• Afforestation – Conservation of Flora.
• Conservation of Aquatic life – special attention on Dolphin, Turtles and Ghariyals etc.
• Disposal of flowers and other puja material.
• Ganga Vahini.
• GIS data and Spatial Analysis for Ganga basin.
• Study of communities depending on Ganga for their traditional livelihood.
• National Ganga Monitoring Centre.
• Special guidelines for sand mining in Ganga.
• Assessment of Special Properties of Ganga Water.
• Communication and Public Outreach Activities.