Rs 5,160 cr given to states to clean rivers

Centre has released Rs 5,160 crore to various states for implementation of pollution abatement works in rivers, Parliament was informed today.
Minister of Water Resources, River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation Uma Bharti said in Rajya Sabha that Rs 5,159.81 crore has been released by the Centre to states for implementation of pollution abatement works and a sewage treatment capacity of about 5,005 million litres per day has been created so far under NRCP and NGRBA programmes.
National River Conservation Plan (NRCP) and National Ganga River Basin Authority (NGRBA) programme cover polluted stretches of 42 rivers spread over 21 states at a sanctioned cost of Rs 11,362.85 crore.

To another question, the Minister said conservation of rivers is an ongoing process and cleaning of Ganga and other rivers is taking time mainly due to the "large gap between sewage generation and availability of sewage treatment capacity..."
She said it is the responsibility of the state governments and local bodies concerned to set up proper facility for collection and treatment of sewage generated and ensuring that it is not discharged into the rivers.
The new NDA-government has set up an Integrated Ganga Conservation Mission -- 'Namami Gange' for for rejuvenation of Ganga and its tributaries.