By 2020 no untreated sewage to be disposed in Ganga

The National Ganga River Basin Authority (NGRBA) has worked out a framework which envisages that no untreated sewage will be disposed in the river by 2020, the Lok Sabha was informed on Thursday.

"According to NGRBA framework, it is envisaged that no untreated sewage shall be disposed to Ganga by the year 2020. Accordingly, Namami Gange programme has been launched which provides necessary actions towards achieving the objective," Union Water Resources Minister Uma Bharti said.

To another question, she said the Namami Gange programme has not received any grant/aid from foreign countries and that the project is fully funded by the Centre.

She, however, said that several countries have offered technical assistance for the ambitious programme.

"At present, Germany has committed 3 Million Euro for information, knowledge exchange, capacity building and data management," she informed.

According to the NGRBA framework, Chief Ministers of Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand and West Bengal are it members, the Minister said answering another query.