Clean Ganga Mission

The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has directed that deficiencies in the implementation of the Ganga Action Plan in West Bengal be specified by the state, NMCG and CPCB by way of affidavit. The NGT, while reviewing the status of Ganga pollution control measures in West Bengal, noted that partial action has been taken in the state to control the flow of polluting materials into the river, but untreated sewage continues to flow into it from several drains. Noting that several sewage treatment plants are either non-functional or not meeting the standards, the principal bench of the NGT, headed by chairman Justice Prakash Shrivastava, held that there are gaps in data, project execution and water quality. The NGT directed that the deficiencies and gaps noticed from disclosure made in reports of the state and the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) be "responded to" by way of affidavit by the chief secretary of West Bengal, the director general of National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG)

The top court also asked for the total number of illegal structures currently present and how and when the authorities plan to clear them

The National Green Tribunal has observed that around 128 MLD wastewater is discharged into the Ganga in Varanasi. The green panel was hearing a matter regarding the discharge of domestic and industrial wastewater into the Ganga in Varanasi, thus hurting religious sentiments. A bench of National Green Tribunal Chairperson Justice Prakash Shrivastava and Judicial Member Justice Sudhir Agarwal noted a report by the Varanasi Municipal Corporation, according to which around 28 million litres per day (MLD) of untreated sewage is flowing into the Ganga. "In the report, it also has been disclosed that within the Varanasi Municipal Corporation and the expanded area, 522 MLD sewage is generated and there are seven Sewage Treatment Plants (STPs), the designed capacity of which comes to a total of about 422 MLD," the bench, also comprising Expert Members A Senthil Vel and Afroz Ahmad, said. "Hence, even if we presume that the STPs are functioning to their designed capacity, there is a gap of .

To encourage the local people in conservation of biodiversity, the Bijnor administration has decided to develop an open-air market and a craft bazar along the river in the area.

The National Mission for Clean Ganga got registered in the Guinness Book of World Records on the first day of the Ganga Utsav

Govt should build on gains in recent years

Addressing a webinar, Jal Shakti Ministry secretary U P Singh said lessons have been learnt while undertaking the Namami Gange Mission and these are being applied to other river basins in the country

The tribunal said all drains joining Kali, Krishna and Hindon should have in-situ remediation and plan for connectivity with the identified sewage treatment plant

The Arti will be live-streamed for devotees who can watch it on the Internet

The green panel had said the problem has not been tackled for the last 43 years and it has resulted in contamination of ground water affecting the health and life of the inhabitants.

The prime minister was received by UP Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath and other dignitaries at the Chakeri airport

Rs 7,700 crore has already been spent, prominently for construction of sewage treatment plants, they said

Gadkari listed the Hinduja family and Sri Prakash Lohia of the Indorama Corporation among the donors

This model has been adopted by the Ministry of Water Resources, River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation

Closure of several units takes toll on industry; several tanneries planning to shift to other states such as West Bengal

The minister also said that no proposal to declare the right to safe water a fundamental right is under consideration of the government.

The proceeds from the auction will be used towards the conservation and preservation of the Ganga

A Central Pollution Control Board report showing this was put in public domain only after Supreme Court directions but withdrawn within 12 hours of questions being sent to the govt for this story

As many as 37 of the 41 locations through which the river flows reported moderate to severe pollution in the pre-monsoon period this year

As on October 2018, Rs 37 billion, or about 77% of the expenditure of Rs 48 billion, had been spent on creating no more than 11% of sewage-treatment