The Namami Gange Programme, launched by the Government of India in 2014, has marked significant progress in its mission to rejuvenate the sacred River Ganga. With an integrated approach encompassing pollution abatement, ecological restoration, capacity building, and community engagement, the initiative stands as a testament to India’s commitment to preserving its most revered river.
The programme, backed by a financial outlay of Rs. 42,500 crore, is designed as a long-term investment, ensuring sustainability through annuity payments and operational maintenance over a 17-year cycle. Of the Rs. 20,424.82 crore allocated between 2014-15 and 2023-24, the National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG) has disbursed Rs. 16,648.49 crore, amounting to 82% of the total budget.
The adoption of the Hybrid Annuity Model has played a crucial role in maintaining the efficiency and longevity of sewage treatment plants (STPs), ensuring that pollution control measures remain effective in the years to come.
The achievements of the programme are evident in the significant expansion of sewage treatment capacity, which has surged to 3,446 MLD—an astonishing thirtyfold increase compared to pre-2014 levels. Over the past eight years, 127 projects and 152 STPs have been completed, contributing immensely to restoring the purity of the Ganga.
Financial contributions from the Clean Ganga Fund (CGF) have further bolstered efforts, with donations pouring in from individuals, non-resident Indians, and corporate entities. Notably, individual citizens form the backbone of this funding initiative, accounting for 95% of contributions, while private corporations and public sector enterprises make up the remaining 5%.
The Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) has reported remarkable improvements in water quality across multiple states. In Uttar Pradesh, for instance, the stretch of the Ganga from Kannauj to Varanasi, which was classified under PRS III in 2015 due to high biological oxygen demand (BOD) levels, has now improved to PRS V, reflecting significantly reduced pollution. Over 90% of the state’s 135 operational STPs are now compliant with pollution control norms. Bihar has witnessed similar progress, with the river stretch from Buxar to Bhagalpur improving from PRS II in 2015 to PRS IV in 2022.
Meanwhile, in West Bengal, the Triveni to Diamond Harbour stretch has also shown positive results, advancing from PRS III to PRS IV. The impact is equally visible in Prayagraj, where treatment capacity has increased from 268 MLD in 2017 to 348 MLD in 2024, and all previously untapped drains have now been addressed. In Varanasi, treatment capacity has quadrupled from 100 MLD to 420 MLD, with only one drain remaining partially untapped.
Beyond pollution control, the ecological revival of the river is evident in the resurgence of the Gangetic Dolphin population. According to a study conducted by the Wildlife Institute of India (WII), the dolphin population has grown from 3,330 (+/- 630) in 2018 to 3,936 (+/- 763) in 2024. These endangered species have even been spotted in previously unrecorded locations, indicating improved aquatic health in multiple regions.
The Namami Gange Programme has also garnered international recognition, earning a place among the Top 10 World Restoration Flagship Initiatives under the UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration in December 2022. Further strengthening its global standing, the International Water Association has honored the NMCG as a Climate Smart Utility, underscoring India’s commitment to sustainable water management.
